CommUNITY@SC26 is a program with a mission to strengthen the HPC community in the region where the annual SC Conference is held. It prepares participants for the technology jobs of the future through education, mentorship, and experience as members of the SCinet Committee.
We believe that innovation thrives when people with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences come together. We strive to create a community where everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to reach their full potential.
Individuals in the Chicago region, including those who can add a new perspective, are encouraged to apply. Your ideas, talents, and contributions are valuable, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow and succeed. See full application details below.
CommUNITY@SC26 is brought to you by the CommUNITY Computing Initiative, a joint effort between the Community Engagement and SCinet Committees.
Applications for the CommUNITY@SC26 Open 2 February 2026
2 FEB 2026
Applications Open
12 JUN 2026
Applications Close
CommUNITY@SC26 is a program aimed at strengthening the high performance computing (HPC) community in the region where the annual SC Conference is held. By fostering a training environment and creating a rich professional network for its participants, the program opens new paths into HPC for new communities. By encouraging participation from a broad range of backgrounds, we enrich our collective knowledge base and perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions.
CommUNITY@SC26 partners with SCinet, a global collaboration of HPC experts and non-technical staff who design, build, and operate a massive network for the SC Conference. SCinet’s cutting-edge infrastructure connects the SC community to the world. Every year, users from industry, academia, and government push the boundaries of networking technologies and innovations through workshops, demos, and collaborative opportunities.
CommUNITY@SC26 invites individuals from communities in the Chicago region to participate. We welcome applications from newcomers with an interest in HPC, to mid-career professionals in the field looking for ways to advance their careers.
All participants are expected to be engaged and have professional communication with the SCinet team to which they are assigned.
Learn how to design, implement, and operate cutting-edge HPC networking technology, including the construction and use of cluster computing to train artificial intelligence models and automate common technology tasks.
Opportunities include (but are not limited to):
Participants are provided housing, SC Conference registration, and additional support.
Applicants must submit a form which collects their personal information and areas of interest for professional development with the following required attachments:
1)
Statement of interest
2)
Recent résumé
3a)
Letter of support from your employer (to include how the applicant will benefit from participation and their availability during the optional/mandatory dates below)
OR
3b)
Personal statement of your availability for both the optional/mandatory dates listed below
OPTIONAL
SPRING 2026
SCinet Sprints
25–30 OCT 2026
SCinet Staging
MANDATORY
8–15 NOV 2025
SCinet Setup
14–20 NOV 2026
SCinet Live Operations & Teardown
A cohort with a range of work experience, including those new to the field, will be selected. The following criteria will be considered for a successful CommUNITY@SC25 application:
Candidate applications will be reviewed by the CommUNITY Computing Initiative, a joint committee comprised of SCinet and Community Engagement & Support committee members.
SCinet ChairDylan Jacob, Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)
Community Engagement ChairClea Marples, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Community Engagement Programming ChairLynn Villafuerte, Independent
Community Engagement Liaison for SCinetJennifer Kim, Internet2
Apply for CommUNITY@SC26 at the link below. Applications open February 2 and close on June 12, 2026.
If you have questions about CommUNITY@SC26 applications, please contact the program committee.
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Submission, application, and nomination deadlines for all programs and awards, the housing open date, the early registration deadline, and more – all in one place.
