The Research Computing (RC) Core, run jointly by HMS Research Computing and HMS IT, offers billable services to the Harvard biomedical research community.

Demand for high-performance computing has exceeded HMS capacity, slowing research progress, especially for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. HMS created the RC Core to ease that pressure. The cost-sharing model follows practices at HMS-affiliated institutions and a University-wide policy, keeping services and fees consistent across all Harvard Schools and external users.

Getting started

Signing up for RC Core resources

Access to HMS Research Computing Core services, including O2 compute and storage, requires an account. Start the signup process through the PPMS RC Core system. The lab's principal investigator must also register, attest to RC Core policies, and provide a purchase order before the RC Core grants access.

Purchase orders for external labs

External labs must submit a purchase order (PO) through the PPMS RC Core system. Select RC Billing Form - Required by EXTERNAL Customers with POs. We recommend POs remain active for at least 18 months to cover several billing cycles.

Harvard Sponsored Role (HSR) requirement

People at Harvard University who are not employees or students need an HSR to access RC Core services. Learn more about the HSR policy. External researchers must have an email address from an HMS-affiliated institution. They must also sign the RC Core user agreement before using our O2 cluster or storage services. Email the RC Core at rccore@hms.harvard.edu when an HMS-affiliated lab member with access leaves their institution.

Services offered

  • High-performance computing through the O2 Cluster supports research workflows for HMS-affiliated researchers.
  • Research data storage:
    • Active storage – for data needing frequent access, modifications, or computations.
    • Standby storage – for rarely accessed data that remains readily available.
  • Fee-based scientific software, available to Harvard University affiliates with a Harvard 33-digit billing code:

Account cancellation and expiration

Canceling services

Complete the off-boarding request form to cancel any services you or your team use with HMS Research Computing.

HMS account expiration for guests

HMS accounts for guests, provided by the RC Core to O2 users, end one year after creation. To extend your account, email rccore@hms.harvard.edu with your principal investigator copied on the email. Include your HMS account ID and the desired extension date. Extensions can run up to one year, and you may need to sign a new RC Core user agreement.

Additional information

Billing

Detailed information on RC Core rates and billing is available on the HMS IT Service Portal.

Policies

HMS IT

Detailed information on the HMS IT External Use of HPC Resources Policy

RC Core

Detailed information on the HMS RC Core Policies

Contact

For general inquiries or business questions, contact rccore@hms.harvard.edu.

For support and help using our services, contact rchelp@hms.harvard.edu.

For support with online imaging resources, refer to the following resources or contact ris@hms.harvard.edu.