You can access NCI systems and services through a variety of methods. See below for more information about allocation schemes, virtual research environments, data services and more.

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NCI provides access to computing, data and virtual environments through schemes allowing access to researchers from many different institutional and discipline backgrounds.

This page covers the following methods for accessing NCI systems and services:

New and existing NCI users can register for an account or new project at our MyNCI portal.

If your organisation is interested in getting access to NCI capabilities, fill in this form.

Documentation about using and accessing supercomputer, cloud and data resources can be found in our User Guides

    Access Schemes

    National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme

    The National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme (NCMAS) provides researchers with annual access to Australia’s major national computational facilities, namely NCI and the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre, through a merit-based selection process. In total, NCMAS distributes around 700 million units of computing time to meritorious applicants from around Australia. The main call for applications is made annually around August for allocations to start the following January for 12 months. Applications are made through the NCMAS portal.

    Adapter Scheme

    The Adapter scheme is designed to identify meritorious research projects that need flexible compute access over a short period. It provides quarterly allocations up to 250KSU to Australian researchers, catering for those users who need smaller compute and data resources in short bursts.

    Adapter facilitates access to data, enables high-throughput computing, and supports other new and emerging ways of engaging with Tier-1 high-performance computing and high-performance data resources.

    AI Flagship Scheme

    NCI's AI Flagship Scheme provides access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure at NCI, including GPUs, CPUs and specialised AI hardware accelerators. The AI Flagship at NCI aims to catalyse AI progress, address critical challenges, promote ethical AI development, foster collaboration, nurture talent, fuel economic growth, establish leadership, and make AI resources accessible to a broader audience. This flagship acts as a driving force behind the positive impact that AI can have on society.

    NCI Start-up Scheme

    The NCI Start-up Scheme is available to researchers who would like to evaluate the suitability of NCI for their research and/or to assist in framing applications for more substantial grants. Start-up grants are allocated on NCI’s supercomputer at a maximum of 5KSU per year. To apply for a start-up grant, create an account in the NCI User Portal (click on 'need access, sign up here'). Follow the 'propose a project' link to submit a start-up proposal.

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    NCI Collaborating Organisations

    Around 75% of NCI’s HPC resources are reserved for researchers at our collaborating organisations. These organisations generally distribute allocated HPC resources through internal processes.

    If you are a researcher or employee at one of NCI’s collaborating organisations, contact your Scheme Manager to discuss gaining access to NCI services.

    NCI Flagship Allocation Scheme

    The NCI Flagship Allocation Scheme provides access to HPC, data-intensive and storage services at NCI for projects identified by the NCI Board as being of high-impact or national strategic importance.

    The currently supported projects under the Scheme are:

    Centres of Excellence determine their own allocations, with computing resources available only to researchers affiliated with the Centre.

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    Virtual Research Environments

    NCI runs several different Virtual Research Environments, bringing together communities of researchers across multiple organisations to enhance collaboration on national and international science priorities. These Environments cover disciplines including climate and weather, geoscience, earth observation, astronomy and more.

    NCI’s Virtual Laboratories are computational platforms making state-of-the-art analysis and visualisation tools easily accessible in an easy-to-use environment.

    Data Services

    NCI’s data services allow users, data portals and external science cloud environments to access, interact with and extract value from our data collections. Our data services provide a number of ways of interacting with data using a variety of programmatic methods.

    Our data services include multiple data catalogues and specialised data servers, as well as virtual research environments suited to various communities.

    For more information about each of the services and how to access them, visit Data Services.

    Data Collections 

    NCI provides the research community vast, publicly funded data collections co-located alongside petascale supercomputing facilities. The NCI National Research Data Collection has more than 10 petabytes of curated and highly used reference datasets used for analysis at NCI and available more broadly through our data services. The fusion of NCI’s high-performance computing and data collections provides a data platform that enables new and innovative ways to access and use data.

    You can browse the collections via the NCI Data Catalogue and through NCI data services. Certain datasets have restricted access and permission may be required from the data custodian through the contact details provided.

    Commercial and Industry Access

    Access to NCI facilities and services by commerce and industry is welcomed. Access is available on a Fee-for-Service basis. Please contact help@nci.org.au for details.