Q: Who is eligible to apply for Argonne Training Program on Extreme-Scale Computing (ATPESC)?
A: Successful applicants are those who have written some non-trivial code for large systems, develop at least some of the code they use (as opposed to use code written by others), have applications that require very large systems, and expect to spend at least part of their career in developing and using code for scientific and engineering applications. The training program is not for beginners who have never written parallel code.
ATPESC provides advanced training to approximately 70 participants. Qualified applicants must have:
- Substantial experience in MPI and/or OpenMP programming. Equivalent experience with Data Science framework programming will also be considered.
- Used at least one HPC system for a reasonably complex application and
- Plans to conduct CS&E research on large-scale computers.
Q: How can I apply for ATPESC?
Q: Do I need to send passport or visa documents with the ATPESC application?
A: No, when submitting your application we only need the information requested in the application form. If you are accepted to ATPESC, at that time you will be directed to upload your documents in a secure manner.
Q: How do I know if the ATPESC organizers received my application?
A: After submitting your application on Easy Chair, you should receive an email confirming your submission has been received. Also, when you are logged into Easy Chair you should see your application listed with the option to edit it.
Q: I am on the waitlist to attend ATPESC, when will I be notified of acceptance?
A: The waitlist is not a guarantee of acceptance to attend ATPESC. There are various points in the process where a seat may become available and offered to you. It may be soon; or it may be shortly before the program starts. Some accepted people may immediately decline their seats due to a change in circumstances. Later, there may be a delay in approving someone’s account to the extent that we must cancel their attendance. Delays in obtaining visas may also cause someone to withdraw.
Q: What documentation is necessary for foreign national to attend ATPESC and participate in the Argonne National Laboratory tour?
A: To receive computer account access and site access for the Argonne campus tour, all foreign nationals must show that they are in legal status, meaning their immigration and naturalization paperwork is current and their Resume or CV has no breaks in time for 10 years. All foreign nationals attending the tour are required to present their documentation to the guards at the Argonne entrance to confirm their identity. Foreign nationals arriving at the Argonne security gate without the appropriate in-status immigration and naturalization service documentation will be denied.
WHAT’S REQUIRED: Upon registering you will need to provide copies of your original government issued passport, original visa, and/or I-94 or I-94W (Arrival-Departure Record). If the expiration date on the I-94 or I-94W reads D/S (Duration of Status), you must have supporting immigration documentation (i.e., I-20, DS-2019). If your immigration status or work authorization documents will expire during your travels to ATPESC, you will be prompted by an ATPESC support team member to provide updated documents in advance of that expiration.
We suggest always having copies of your documentation with you.
Q: If I am a foreign national traveling from abroad, which type of visa should I apply for?
A: Carefully review the U.S. Visa Application procedures and Visa Waiver Program.
Q: How do I request an invitation letter for my visa?
A: You can request an invitation letter by emailing ATPESC support at support@extremecomputingtraining.anl.gov at the time of registration.
Q: Do I need a non-immigrant visa to participate in ATPESC?
A: You will need to register with Argonne as a foreign national and have a copy of your passport and/or have a valid I-20. Send your documents to support@extremecomputingtraining.anl.gov.
Q: How can I get the I-94 admission number/record required?
A: Please visit this website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home to get a copy of your I-94 admission number/record upon arrival to the U.S. It will be recorded in the Customs Border Patrol (CBP) database electronically at the port of entry into the U.S. entry into the U.S.
You will need to provide a copy of the I-94 retrieval record to the ATPESC support team support@extremecomputingtraining.anl.gov in advance to be able to participate in the Argonne campus tour.
NOTE: If you try to retrieve your I-94 from the online system and receive a response that your I-94 is “Not Found”, follow this link https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1696?language=en_US to help you check for mistakes and try to enter the information again.
Q: When does the ATPESC program start and end?
A: Participants must attend the full program, including after dinner sessions, from 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2026, through 6 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026. ATPESC reserves the right to charge fees to recover costs incurred by no-shows, early departures, or flight changes.
Q: Will the event be held in-person or virtually?
A: ATPESC is planned to be held in person. Participants are expected to attend the entire duration of the program.
Note, if the event is unable to take place in person, programming will shift to a virtual format.
Q: Where can I register for ATPESC?
A: If you are accepted into the program, you will receive an acceptance email from the ATPESC committee with a registration link and an access code for registration.
Q: If I live in the Chicagoland area, do I still need to register for ATPESC?
A: Yes. All participants and lecturers must register so we plan appropriately for meals and seating. If your home is within 50 miles of Argonne (local travel), please indicate during registration that you are a local resident and plan to drive to the venue. Local attendees are eligible for reimbursement of mileage and tolls only, in accordance with Argonne’s travel policy in effect at the time of travel. An ATPESC support team member will verify your round-trip mileage from your home to the venue using Google maps.
Q: How do I get the ALCF user accounts setup?
A: Your account will be set up when you follow the instructions provided in the ATPESC registration process. Selected applicants whose accounts have not been approved by the designated deadline will not be able to participate in ATPESC.
Q: Are participants required to bring their own laptops?
A: Yes. Participants are required to use their own laptops to connect to ATPESC resources. Wifi connection will be provided by the program.
Q: I’ve been accepted to ATPESC. Can I arrange my own flights?
A: If you want ATPESC to cover your airfare, the ATPESC support team must book your travel through their travel department. Please provide your flight preferences during registration. Housing at the venue will be coordinated based on your approved ticketed itinerary.
Q: Is funding available for attendees traveling from abroad?
A: International flights to/from the United States are not funded by ATPESC. If selected, you must fund your own international travel. ATPESC can pay for a domestic roundtrip flight between your U.S. port of entry and Chicago (for example, New York City to Chicago) on ATPESC approved travel days. This domestic travel must be booked by our travel department. Please provide details and flight preferences when registering.
Q: I don’t need or want a roundtrip flight. Can ATPESC book a one-way flight?
A: No. Per Argonne rules, ATPESC cannot book one-way flights. You may book your own itinerary at personal expense.
Q: I plan to take some personal time before and/or after attending ATPESC. Is funding available for the additional travel days?
A: No. ATPESC cannot fund personal travel time and cannot book travel outside ATPESC approved travel days. One-way flights cannot be booked. Please confirm your ATPESC funded travel before making any personal travel arrangements.
Q: Can I arrange my own flights?
A: No. If you would like ATPESC to cover your airfare, the ATPESC support team will need to arrange your travel through their travel department. When registering, please give your flight preferences. An ATPESC support team member will contact you to arrange a flight itinerary on the ATPESC-approved travel days from your home city to Chicago.
Q: I’m attending a conference after ATPESC and need an open-jaw ticket (not returning to my home city). Can ATPESC book this?
A: No. Per Argonne travel rules, ATPESC cannot book open-jaw tickets. The support team will work with you to book a roundtrip flight between your home city and Chicago on ATPESC approved travel days. Alternatively, you may arrange your own itinerary at a personal expense.
Q: Can I fly to ATPESC and return to my home city by a personal vehicle?
A: No. Partial reimbursements are not available. The support team can arrange a roundtrip flight on ATPESC approved travel days between your home city and Chicago. You may book your own itinerary at personal expense.
Q: I prefer to fly with an airline where I have a mileage program. What information do you need?
A: The support team will coordinate roundtrip flights at the lowest logical airfare. If the itinerary is booked with an airline where you have membership, the team will add your frequent flyer number to the reservation.
Q: Can I upgrade my ATPESC ticketed flight (preferred seat or class of service)?
A: Upgrades, including preferred seat selection and class of service, are personal expenses not covered by ATPESC.
Q: My flight itinerary has been ticketed and I need to make a change. What are my options?
A: Any changes to an ATPESC coordinated ticketed itinerary that you previously approved are personal expenses. Contact your ATPESC support team member for assistance. Do not contact the airline directly. Missed flights, airline change fees, and venue no-show penalties are personal expenses and are not covered by ATPESC.
Q: Does ATPESC reimburse for airline baggage fees?
A: No. Baggage fees are not covered. Check the airline’s website for carryon limitations. For convenience, the venue offers self-service laundry facilities at no cost.
Q: I am flying into Chicago; how do I get from the airport to the venue?
A: ATPESC will provide ground transport to the venue on approved travel days. An ATPESC support team member will provide additional information once your flight itinerary has been ticketed.
Q: Does ATPESC reimburse for travel to, or parking at, my hometown airport?
A: Hometown ground transport and parking fees are not covered.
Q: I live in the Chicago area, if I attend ATPESC can I commute daily to the venue?
A: No, ATPESC is a “retreat” type event, and the daily schedule does not allow time for commuting. However, you may check out over the weekend (August 1-2, 2026). You would be expected to return prior to the start of the session on August 3 at 8:30 AM.
Q: Will I be reimbursed for local travel expenses from my home city to the airport?
A: No. Airport parking fees and local ground transportation are not covered.
Q: Will ATPESC reimburse for driving instead of flying?
A: It depends on the distance:
- If your travel exceeds 299 miles, you must fly roundtrip from your domestic home city to Chicago for ATPESC to cover your travel.
- If your round trip is less than 299 miles from ATPESC, you may drive and be reimbursed for mileage and tolls. The ATPESC support team will provide a Google Map confirming roundtrip mileage from your home.
ATPESC will perform a cost comparison after receiving your registration. Reimbursement follows Argonne’s travel policy in effect at the time of travel and will be coordinated after ATPESC concludes.
If your travel is more than 299 miles and you choose to drive, you will not be reimbursed by ATPESC. Please communicate your plans so the support team can coordinate housing on ATPESC approved travel days.
Q: Can I travel to ATPESC by another mode of transportation (e.g., train, bus)?
A: Yes. Domestic train or bus travel can be arranged by an ATPESC support team member in accordance with Argonne’s travel policy in effect at the time of travel.
Q: Is there parking at the venue?
A: Yes. Parking is free, and no permit is required.
Q: If I choose to rent a car, will I be reimbursed?
A: No. Rental cars are not funded. ATPESC has contracted a limousine service for transportation to/from Chicago airports on ATPESC approved travel days. You will receive an online link to the limousine service portal two weeks before the program starts to arrange ground transportation.
Q: I registered to drive but now prefer to fly. What should I do?
A: Contact the ATPESC support team. Your housing will be coordinated according to your ticketed flight itinerary.
Q: I am driving, but my arrival or departure dates have changed from what I entered during registration. What should I do?
A: Contact the ATPESC support team by July 6 (venue lodging deadline). After this date, you are responsible for all nights prepaid on your behalf based on your registration details.
No-shows and early departures are personal expenses. The venue will collect payment via the personal credit card provided at check-in.
Q: I’m flying into Chicago. How do I get from the airport to the venue?
A: ATPESC provides ground transportation to the venue on ATPESC approved travel days. An ATPESC support team member will provide details once your flight itinerary is ticketed.
Q:. I live in the Chicago area but don’t have a personal vehicle. How do I get to/from the venue?
A: ATPESC has contracted a limousine service to provide roundtrip transportation between your local residence and the venue. Argonne travel rules apply.
If you plan to go home on the weekend, inform the ATPESC support staff once you submit your registration for them to adjust your lodging dates accordingly and before the venue lodging deadline.
Note, you are expected to be onsite by 8 a.m. Monday, August 3; you may store your bags at the venue until your room is available for check-in.
Q: How do I reserve my lodging at ATPESC?
A: Lodging will be booked according to your approved ticketed flight, train, or bus itinerary. If arriving by personal vehicle or local transportation, lodging will be booked based on the arrival/departure details provided in your registration form. No-show and early departure fees are personal expenses and are not covered by ATPESC.
Q: Are accommodations being funded for local lecturers?
A: If necessary, ATPESC can cover the night before for lecturers scheduled for a morning session. “Local travel” is defined as less than 50 miles and must exceed 12 hours of business in one day, including travel time.
Q: I am traveling from overseas, does the venue supply an adaptor?
A: No. You need to bring your own.
Q: I plan to bring a guest, is there a fee?
A: ATPESC provides a single occupancy room for one person. The venue is a conference center; guests incur fees to share the room, and meals (which cannot be opted out). Guest fees, including double occupancy room charges, are personal expenses not covered by ATPESC. Contact the venue directly for current costs.
Q: Is childcare available?
A: ATPESC is an intensive two-week, hands-on training program with after-dinner sessions. Participants are expected to attend all scheduled program activities. ATPESC does not provide or fund childcare. If you bring a child to the venue, you must arrange for a guardian and/or childcare independently of ATPESC.
The following meals are provided to the participants of ATPESC 2026 at the venue:
7/25 Sat – None
7/26 Sun – Breakfast (if arrived on 7/25), Dinner
7/27-7/30 Mon-Thu – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7/31 Fri – Breakfast, Lunch
8/1 Sat – Breakfast*
8/2 Sun – Breakfast, Dinner
8/3-8/6 Mon-Thu – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8/7 Fri – Breakfast, Lunch
8/8 Sat – Breakfast (if overnighted on 8/7)
*A boxed lunch will be provided to Argonne campus tour participants on 8/1
Grab and Go items are available for purchase at the Q Center.