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Special Allocations

RCD supports many different workflows with a vast amount of resources available at no cost. To support this diverse user base, our general resource limits are designed to promote equal access for everyone.

We understand that some research projects may have unique demands that exceed the general resource limits. The special allocations request process enables researchers to present compelling reasons for the need for additional research computing resources, such as nodes, storage, and walltime, beyond the general limits.

Review Process

Special Allocation Requests are reviewed by an independent group of faculty members on the Allocations Exception Committee (AEC), which is a division of the ReDCAT advisory body.

Before Submitting a Request​

The special allocations process should only be used in extenuating circumstances and is not a replacement for conventional resource acquisition or code optimization.

Before requesting a special allocation, users should exhaust all other available options, including:

  1. Attending an office hours session to discuss potential solutions with RCD staff. We can explore potential solutions with you and provide guidance on the below.
  2. Testing whether checkpointing techniques are compatible with their software. Checkpointing enables a job to restart from where the previous run left off, which mitigates walltime issues.
  3. Evaluating whether their advisor, project PI, or department can purchase additional resources to meet their needs.
    • Purchasing a compute node allows faculty to designate a list of users who get priority access on their nodes (with extended wall times).
    • Purchasing project storage can provide additional space for storing important project files and enables easier collaboration.
  4. Considering whether it is possible to further optimize or parallelize your code/workflow to meet your needs.
  5. Exploring national resources such as the NSF ACCESS program that may be able to accommodate your project.
Don't Skip This Step

When reviewing your request, committee members will want to see evidence that you have tried other options first.

Examples of Special Allocation Requests​

Below are some examples of scenarios where a special allocation request may be appropriate:

  • You have a project deadline coming up and need a higher wall time limit to run a single-threaded program that cannot be checkpointed or optimized.
  • Your project needs additional priority or dedicated resources, but only for a short period of time (perhaps a few weeks), so it would not make sense to buy a compute node.

Keep in mind that for each of these examples, you must assume that all options described above have been exhausted and you can provide evidence.

Description of Process for Special Allocation​

  1. Review all other options mentioned in Before Submitting a Request and collect evidence.

  2. To make a special allocation request, please download and complete the form below. Students are encouraged to work closely with their project PI when completing this form.

    Download Special Allocation Request Form

  3. Once the form is complete, the project PI may submit it and attach any additional evidence using the form below:

    Submit Special Allocation Request Form

  4. RCD will conduct a preliminary review of your request and can assist with collecting any necessary supplemental materials.

  5. Your request will be considered by faculty members on the ReDCAT Allocations Exception Committee (AEC).

  6. When the committee has made a decision to grant or deny your request, you will receive a notice via email.

  7. If your request is approved, RCD administrators will allocate the compute and storage resources you requested within a few business days.

Special Allocation Request Timelines​

The time from initial submission to receiving access to the requested resources is typically 2-3 weeks.

Plan Ahead

Please keep the request timeline in mind and submit your request in advance of needing the resources.

Limitations​

While our team will make efforts to satisfy special allocation requests, there is a limit to what we can do since the cluster is a shared resource. All requests are subject to feasibility and availability of resources.