Writing compute into a grant

How to describe hybrid compute in your methods section and budget.

5 minute read

Reviewers fund methods they can evaluate. Describe hybrid compute as a method with a clear question, a fallback and a way to measure success, not as a technology bet.

In the methods section

State the computational bottleneck and its current cost in time or core-hours.
Name the formulation (for example a QUBO or MILP model) and the classical baseline you’ll compare against.
Define success as a measurable target: time-to-solution, solution quality or problem size reached.
Include a classical fallback so the science doesn’t depend on one platform.

In the budget

List compute as a service cost with an estimate of runs and hours, separate from personnel and equipment. Check each funder’s rules on cloud and external compute services before you submit, since eligibility differs between programs and changes over time.

Founding Fellows receive integration boilerplate for NSF, NIH, NSERC and Horizon Europe proposals. Ask in the Fellows working group.

Key points

Frame compute as a measurable method with a classical fallback.
Budget it as a service with run estimates.
Always confirm current funder rules for external compute.