The Fifth IEEE International Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE
2012), sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on
Scalable Computing (TCSC).
 
Objective and Focus: The objective of the Fifth IEEE International
Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE 2012), sponsored by the IEEE
Computer Society Technical Committee on Scalable Computing (TCSC), is
to highlight and showcase real-world problem solving using computing
that scales.

Effective solutions to many scientific problems require applications
that can scale. There are different dimensions to application scaling:
for example, applications can scale-up to large number of cores or
compute units, scale-out to utilize multiple distinct compute units,
or scale-down to release resources that are no longer needed. In order
to scale, applications need the support of tools, middleware,
infrastructure, programming systems, etc. SCALE is concerned with
advances in application development and supporting infrastructure that
enable scaling.

Call for Proposals: The Fifth IEEE International Scalable Computing
Challenge (SCALE 2012) contest will focus on end-to-end problem
solving using concepts, technologies and architectures (including
Clusters, Grids and Clouds) that facilitate scaling. Participants in
the challenge will be expected to identify significant current
real-world problems where scalable computing techniques can be
effectively used, and design, implement, evaluate and demonstrate
solutions. SCALE2012 will be held in conjunction with the 12th CCGrid
Conference in Ottawa, Canada  on 13-16 May, 2012.

We invite teams to submit white papers outlining the problem addressed
and the technologies employed to enable applications to scale. White
papers should be up to 4 pages long, 12-pt. font and single column,
and in addition to listing team members and contact information,
should clearly outline:

1. The problem being solved and the technology employed

2. The application scenario and its requirements

3. Performance data and a qualitative description of how the
application scales -- scale-up, scale-out or any other type of scaling

4. The solution -- architecture, underlying concepts and technologies
used -- highlighting the innovative aspects of the solution

5. Impact of the solution, including extensibility and uniqueness of
results, and the extent to which the presented solution pushes the
envelope in scalable computing

6. Analysis of solution and technology employed compared to related
approaches

In addition to the above, finalists will be judged on the quality of
their presentation, which shall include a 5-minute demonstration, as
well as their responses to questions by a technical committee.

Papers will be shortlisted using the above 6 points as merit criteria,
and up to 6 papers will be invited to compete in a final round at
CCGrid 2012.  Selected teams will receive an award of up to $1000 to
help with travel to the conference. At least one member from each
selected team will be expected to register, present and demonstrate
their project at CCGrid 2012.  Participation from students and young
researchers, especially in leadership roles, is strongly encouraged.

Awards:
First  prize:   Plaque + $1000
Second prize:   Plaque + $500

Tentative timeline:
The deadline for submitting proposals is 15 March, 2012. 
Decisions:  01 April 2012.
Final presentation/demo: 13-16 May, 2012.

Coordinator:
Shantenu Jha, Rutgers University, USA, shantenu dot jha at rutgers dot edu
Pavan Balaji, Argonne National Lab, USA,   balaji   at mcs dot anl dot gov