Benefits of using Isambard 3
Access to one of the fastest CPU-based supercomputers in the UK
High Performance Computing (HPC) with over 55,000 processor cores across 384 compute nodes
Architecture supports data-intensive workloads using Arm® Neoverse™-based NVIDIA Grace™ CPU Superchips and a fast expanded storage system
Supports diverse research applications including computational chemistry, molecular modelling and clean energy production
Apply to use Isambard 3 for your research
University of Bath researchers have access to a 10% share of Isambard 3's capacity provided through the GW4 alliance.
Resources are allocated on a per-project basis, with a member of the research staff serving as the project Principal Investigator (PI).
Researchers should obtain ethics approval for their project and complete the allocation request form Isambard 3 Project Allocation Call (requires single sign-on).
Research students should discuss projects with their group leader. Once the group leader is set up as the project PI, they can grant access to the student.
You can also apply to use Isambard 3 directly via an open UKRI Tier 2 HPC call. These calls are usually released in Spring and Autumn each year (UKRI Funding Finder). For further information, please refer to past calls (for example, Autumn 2025 call - closed).
For further information or guidance please contact the Research Software Engineering team.
When to consider alternatives
Isambard 3 provides CPU-based High Performance Computing. It does not provide any GPU capabilities.
If you require access to GPUs (for example, for training machine-learning models) please refer to guidance from the Research Computing team on how to access GPU computing via Nimbus cloud.
Alternatively, you may wish to apply for use of Isambard-AI. Please note that Isambard-AI and Isambard 3 are two separate supercomputers, with different funding sources, eligibility criteria and application processes. Further information can be found on the Isambard access page and in related guidance for UKRI access routes.
We endeavour to provide external links that are correct at the time of writing. Please consult with relevant external entities for up-to-date information.