Singapore has committed S$270 million to enhance its national supercomputing infrastructure and empower the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore. This investment aims to bolster local research capabilities and drive innovation across various scientific disciplines.
The funding, provided by the National Research Foundation (NRF), will be used to develop NSCC’s next-generation supercomputer. This advanced system, expected to be operational in late 2025, will address the rising demand for high-performance computing (HPC) resources and open up new frontiers for scientific exploration.
A key focus of the new supercomputer will be to explore the integration of classical and quantum computing. This fusion of technologies holds the potential to revolutionize the approach to solving complex research challenges, particularly those characterized by increasing complexity and data intensity.
Beyond infrastructure development, the grant will support talent development and skill enhancement within Singapore’s HPC ecosystem. NSCC will undertake initiatives to equip local researchers and scientists with advanced capabilities, emphasizing the development of cutting-edge algorithms, the optimization of large-scale HPC and AI projects, and the improvement of research efficiency.
Furthermore, NSCC will collaborate with local universities, research institutions, and HPC companies to mentor and train talent in the creation of novel HPC tools, applications, and software. The Young Investigator Seed Programme, a forthcoming initiative, will specifically nurture early-career researchers by providing access to HPC resources.
To foster innovation and competitiveness, resources will be allocated to support SMEs and startups in accelerating their research into business applications. This will empower these organizations to sharpen their competitive edge in the market.
Singapore will also strengthen its international collaborations by partnering with supercomputing centers in Japan and Finland. These partnerships will facilitate knowledge sharing, expertise exchange, and the adoption of best practices, thereby enhancing local HPC capabilities and driving skills development.
The recent launch of ASPIRE 2A and ASPIRE 2A+, Singapore’s high-performance research supercomputers, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s supercomputing journey. These systems, managed by NSCC, are designed to accelerate advancements in critical areas such as climate and weather research, materials and chemical sciences, genetics and healthcare, advanced modeling and simulation, and big data analytics.
