Team events, numerous questions from reviewers, an on-site evaluation and a whole lot of work: this evaluation demanded a lot from the NHR4CES team – and it was worth it!
In 2023, the National High-Performance Computing (NHR) Alliance was asked by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) to present the development of the centers since the NHR was founded in 2021 as part of an initial interim evaluation. To this end, the two NHR4CES locations – formally two of the nine NHR centers – faced critical questions from reviewers regarding infrastructure, training opportunities, and collaborations since the introduction of the NHR association. In 2024, this joint report from the NHR centers was submitted to the NHR Strategy Committee.
In addition to this written report, an evaluation group consisting of six independent experts conducted an on-site review in 2025 and interviewed members of the individual NHR centers, NHR committee members, and various users. Based on the experts’ final report, the NHR Strategy Committee prepared a statement for the GWK.
Positive feedback
In the statement, the Strategy Committee emphasizes that the NHR network has developed positively overall and now contributes significantly to the supraregional high-performance computing infrastructure in Germany. It gives a clear recommendation to continue funding the NHR centers. In addition, the NHR Strategy Committee emphasizes that the training and consulting services offered by the NHR are very well received by users. The NHR4CES team is particularly pleased that the cooperation between TU Darmstadt and RWTH Aachen University within the framework of NHR4CES is highlighted.
This cooperation brings significantadded value for users and the centers, as, among other things, the infrastructures are coordinated and specialist advice can be provided.
The GWK is very pleased with this evaluation and will incorporate the results of this interim evaluation into future consultations on the promotion of national high-performance computing.
Not only the many hours of work that went into preparing the evaluation report, but also the enormous commitment of all those involved in NHR4CES have paid off: NHR4CES is not only an example of successful cooperation within the NHR association, but has also received a clear recommendation for further funding in the evaluation report. Over the next five years, the NHR4CES team will continue its strong collaboration and further develop on the basis of this evaluation!
