The new ‘HPC Gateway’ initiative aims to open up access to the Helmholtz Association's world-leading HPC infrastructure for companies. The Helmholtz Association is investing 18 million euros in this endeavour.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) are crucial technologies for the competitiveness of companies. However, many companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), face the challenge of gaining access to high-performance computing resources and specialized data analyses. The Helmholtz Association addresses this challenge through the HPC Gateway initiative, investing €18 million in the program. The program aims to give companies access to the world-leading HPC infrastructure of the Helmholtz Centers and connect them with AI experts.
In the one-year pilot phase now underway, nine Helmholtz Centers at eight locations—including Helmholtz Munich—are opening their high-performance computing capacities to companies. The aim is to dovetail research and business more closely and to promote the formation of regional innovation ecosystems. Companies will receive hands-on support to advance AI-driven innovations, digital twins, and HPC-based developments.
A particular focus is placed on systematically analyzing the specific needs of the economy and deriving long-term AI service offerings from these insights. Companies contribute their specialized process knowledge, which is essential for developing practical, application-oriented solutions.
The participating Helmholtz Centers not only provide companies with access to HPC infrastructure through cooperative projects but will also advise companies on how to address their issues and how to prepare their data accordingly. In addition, companies gain access to extensive datasets.
"With HPC Gateway, the Helmholtz Association is committed to making a much-needed and measurable contribution to the federal government's AI strategy. This initiative will future-proof numerous companies in the field of artificial intelligence," says Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association. "In this way, HPC Gateway can sustainably strengthen Germany as a science and business location in times of digital transformation. "
Helmholtz is investing a total of 18 million euros in HPC Gateway, supporting the following Helmholtz Association locations:
- Forschungszentrum Jülich (North Rhine-Westphalia)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Baden-Württemberg)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Saxony)
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung (Hesse)
- Helmholtz Munich (Bavaria)
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY (Hamburg)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (Berlin)
- Max Delbrück Center (Berlin)