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Operational funding for the national advanced research computing platform transitions from the CFI to the Digital Research Alliance of Canada

Renewed policy guidance on integrated hardware (contributed systems) now available

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Operational funding for the national advanced research computing (ARC) platform is transitioning from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund to the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance). In response, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Compute Canada Federation (CCF), the CFI and the Alliance have refreshed the guidelines for integrated hardware (contributed systems). The renewed policy guidance is now available on the Alliance website.

This renewed guidance will take effect for CFI funding decisions after March 31, 2022. The CFI, along with the CCF, will continue to apply the current contributed systems guidelines until then. The CFI expects new or additional research computing resources costing more than $100,000 to be housed, managed and operated by the Alliance. 

Institutions planning to request advanced research computing infrastructure in proposals for any CFI competitions should first consult with the Alliance.

For more information, please contact the Alliance at CFI_Awards [at] engagedri.ca (CFI_Awards[at]engagedri[dot]ca).