Networking and coordination of national HPC Competence Centres — Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)

🔬 Scientific Alignment

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Suggested TRL Range

TRL 6 → 8

Based on programme defaults

Scope Activities (5)

SC1

Coordinate and support the network of National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC as a single focal point at European level.

SC2

Establish a communication platform, facilitate dialogue, promote the objectives of the initiatives, and organize events and workshops on relevant topics for NCCs.

SC3

Leverage synergies and complementarity strengths of the initiatives.

SC4

Identify and communicate potential training solutions, successful services, and tools available from the NCCs network.

SC5

Support and assist in addressing requests and/or needs of their communities, for example by service facilitation and matchmaking between relevant European initiatives or by supporting the exchange of knowledge and best practices between NCCs.

Expected Outcomes (2)

EO1

Maximise existing European HPC knowledge and expertise across Europe by facilitating the sharing of applications, best practices, knowledge and information, networking, and training across NCCs.

EO2

Effective cooperation with other European initiatives, particularly regarding projects focusing on European training and skills for HPC (e.g., the EuroHPC Academy and the European Master for HPC).

🌍 Impact Strategy

Target SDG Topics

Select the SDG targets (topics) that your future project proposal will actively address to align with EU Policy Impacts.

Expected Impacts (0)

No expected impacts identified for this destination.

EU Policy Alignment

Digital Agenda for Europe

The Digital Agenda is a key EU policy framework aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of Europe, fostering innovation, and ensuring that all citizens and businesses can benefit from digital technologies. It emphasizes the development of digital skills, infrastructure, and services, including HPC, to enhance Europe's global competitiveness and digital sovereignty.

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Evaluator focus:Evaluators will expect proposals to demonstrate how the project aligns with the Digital Agenda's objectives, particularly in terms of enhancing digital skills, promoting HPC adoption, and fostering cross-border collaboration. They will look for measurable contributions to digital inclusion, innovation, and the reduction of digital divides across Europe.

European Strategy for AI

The EU's AI strategy aims to position Europe as a global leader in trustworthy AI by fostering excellence, ethical standards, and a human-centric approach. HPC is a critical enabler for AI development, providing the computational power needed for advanced AI applications across sectors such as healthcare, climate, and industry.

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Evaluator focus:Evaluators will assess how the project supports the AI strategy by enhancing HPC capabilities, which are essential for AI research and innovation. Proposals should highlight synergies with AI initiatives, such as the European AI-on-Demand Platform, and demonstrate how the project will facilitate AI skills development and adoption.

📋 Additional Guidance

⚖ Eligibility rules

Maximum budget€2.0M

🎯 Call process & Evaluation criteria (Pre-award)

Evaluators will prioritize proposals demonstrating a clear strategy for coordinating NCCs, establishing robust communication platforms, and leveraging synergies. They will look for tangible mechanisms to identify and disseminate training solutions, services, and tools, as well as effective matchmaking and knowledge exchange among NCCs. Proposals must align with the Digital Agenda and AI policies, emphasizing scalability, inclusivity, and measurable outcomes in HPC adoption and skills development. Strong emphasis will be placed on collaboration with existing European initiatives like the EuroHPC Academy and European Master for HPC.

📊 Coverage

Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.

See how your concept covers this call

This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.

Scope activities5requirements

Expected outcomes2requirements

Other requirements0requirements

Expected impacts0requirements

Underlying policies0requirements

Requirements matrix

Coverage of the call requirements
Requirement	Covered by	Carried	Status
Scope activities
SC1Coordinate and support the network of National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC as a single focal point at European level.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC2Establish a communication platform, facilitate dialogue, promote the objectives of the initiatives, and organize events and workshops on relevant topics for NCCs.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC3Leverage synergies and complementarity strengths of the initiatives.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC4Identify and communicate potential training solutions, successful services, and tools available from the NCCs network.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC5Support and assist in addressing requests and/or needs of their communities, for example by service facilitation and matchmaking between relevant European initiatives or by supporting the exchange of knowledge and best practices between NCCs.	·	·	Sign up to track
Expected outcomes
EO1Maximise existing European HPC knowledge and expertise across Europe by facilitating the sharing of applications, best practices, knowledge and information, networking, and training across NCCs.	·	·	Sign up to track
EO2Effective cooperation with other European initiatives, particularly regarding projects focusing on European training and skills for HPC (e.g., the EuroHPC Academy and the European Master for HPC).	·	·	Sign up to track
Other requirements
No other requirements in this call.
Expected impacts
No expected impacts in this call.
Underlying policies
No underlying policies in this call.

Scope activities

SC1Sign up

Coordinate and support the network of National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC as a single focal point at European level.

SC2Sign up

Establish a communication platform, facilitate dialogue, promote the objectives of the initiatives, and organize events and workshops on relevant topics for NCCs.

SC3Sign up

Leverage synergies and complementarity strengths of the initiatives.

SC4Sign up

Identify and communicate potential training solutions, successful services, and tools available from the NCCs network.

SC5Sign up

Expected outcomes

EO1Sign up

Maximise existing European HPC knowledge and expertise across Europe by facilitating the sharing of applications, best practices, knowledge and information, networking, and training across NCCs.

EO2Sign up

Effective cooperation with other European initiatives, particularly regarding projects focusing on European training and skills for HPC (e.g., the EuroHPC Academy and the European Master for HPC).

Other requirementsNo other requirements in this call.

Expected impactsNo expected impacts in this call.

Underlying policiesNo underlying policies in this call.

🧭 Strategy

🏷 Keywords

High-Performance Computing (HPC)National Competence Centres (NCCs)HPC training and skills developmentDigital Europe ProgrammeCoordination and Support Action (CSA)HPC adoptionDigital transformationHPC services and toolsCross-border collaborationHPC user communitiesEuroHPC Joint UndertakingEuropean HPC initiativesHPC best practicesKnowledge exchangeMatchmaking for HPC servicesDigital sovereigntyAI and HPC synergiesInclusive HPC accessHPC for industry and SMEsHPC infrastructure

🧩 Project backbone

0%Concept coverage

Build your project backbone 🧩

Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.

Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept

Problems & target groups

The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.

✨ Problems to be solved

Fragmentation of HPC Expertise and Resources Across Europe

HPC knowledge, training solutions, and services are dispersed across individual NCCs, leading to duplication of efforts, inefficiencies, and limited cross-border collaboration, which hinders the optimal use of HPC resources.

👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)

Limited Access to HPC Training and Skills Development

Uneven access to HPC training programs and educational resources across Europe creates skills gaps, particularly in less digitally advanced regions, limiting the ability of researchers and industry professionals to leverage HPC effectively.

👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 HPC Training and Education Providers

Insufficient Coordination Among NCCs and European Initiatives

Lack of structured coordination and communication among NCCs and between NCCs and other European HPC initiatives results in missed opportunities for synergies, resource sharing, and alignment of objectives.

👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC👤 European HPC Initiatives and Projects👤 Public Sector and Government Agencies

Barriers to HPC Adoption for SMEs and Non-Traditional Users

SMEs and organizations in non-traditional HPC sectors face barriers such as lack of awareness, technical expertise, and financial resources, limiting their ability to adopt and benefit from HPC technologies.

👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC

Underutilization of Existing HPC Services and Tools

Many potential HPC users are unaware of the services, tools, and best practices available within the NCC network, leading to underutilization of existing resources and suboptimal HPC applications.

👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC

Disparities in HPC Capabilities Across European Regions

Significant disparities exist in HPC infrastructure, expertise, and access between Western and Eastern Europe, as well as between urban and rural areas, exacerbating digital divides and limiting equitable benefits from HPC.

👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 Public Sector and Government Agencies👤 General Public and Civil Society Organizations

✨ Target Groups

National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPCDirect

Organizations designated as NCCs in EU Member States and associated countries, responsible for providing HPC services, training, and support to their national user communities.

HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)Direct

Researchers, scientists, and academic institutions utilizing HPC for scientific discovery, innovation, and addressing societal challenges across disciplines such as climate modeling, health, and energy.

HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)Direct

Industrial users, including large enterprises and SMEs, leveraging HPC for product development, optimization, and digital transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace.

Public Sector and Government AgenciesIndirect

Government bodies and public sector organizations responsible for digital transformation policies, funding HPC initiatives, and promoting the adoption of HPC in public services.

European HPC Initiatives and ProjectsIndirect

Existing and future European initiatives, projects, and networks focused on HPC, such as the EuroHPC JU, EuroHPC Academy, European Master for HPC, and Centres of Excellence for HPC applications.

HPC Training and Education ProvidersIndirect

Institutions and organizations offering HPC training programs, courses, and educational resources, including universities, vocational schools, and online learning platforms.

General Public and Civil Society OrganizationsIndirect

Civil society organizations, non-profits, and the broader public who benefit from the societal and economic impacts of enhanced HPC capabilities, such as improved healthcare, climate resilience, and digital inclusion.

Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept

The change you want to make

The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.

I1Enhanced European HPC Ecosystem and Digital Sovereignty

A cohesive and well-coordinated network of NCCs strengthens Europe's digital sovereignty by maximizing the use of HPC resources, fostering innovation, and reducing dependency on non-European HPC providers. This contributes to Europe's strategic autonomy in critical digital technologies.

📏 Percentage increase in HPC utilization by European academia and industry; Number of cross-border collaborations facilitated among NCCs.

EI (Matched)👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 Public Sector and Government Agencies

I2Improved Access to HPC Skills and Knowledge Across Europe

By facilitating the sharing of training solutions, best practices, and educational resources, the project ensures broader and more equitable access to HPC skills, reducing regional disparities and empowering a diverse range of users to leverage HPC for innovation and societal challenges.

📏 Number of training programs and resources shared across NCCs; Percentage increase in HPC-trained professionals in less digitally advanced regions.

EI (Matched)👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 HPC Training and Education Providers👤 General Public and Civil Society Organizations

I3Increased Adoption of HPC by Industry and SMEs

Enhanced coordination and service facilitation by NCCs lower the barriers to HPC adoption for industry and SMEs, leading to improved competitiveness, innovation capacity, and economic growth, particularly in sectors reliant on advanced computing.

📏 Number of SMEs and industrial users supported by NCCs; Percentage increase in HPC-driven innovation projects in industry.

EI (Matched)👤 HPC User Communities (Industry and SMEs)👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC

I4Strengthened Collaboration and Resource Efficiency in European HPC Initiatives

Effective coordination and synergies among NCCs and with other European HPC initiatives optimize resource allocation, avoid duplication, and accelerate scientific advancements by enabling seamless collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders.

📏 Number of joint initiatives and projects launched with European HPC initiatives; Percentage reduction in duplicated efforts among NCCs.

EI (Matched)👤 National Competence Centres (NCCs) for HPC👤 European HPC Initiatives and Projects👤 HPC User Communities (Academia and Research)