TCSC SCALE Challenge

The CCGrid International Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE Challenge 2026) objective is to highlight and showcase real-world problem-solving using computing that scales.

About

Effective solutions to many scientific and engineering problems require applications that can scale. There are different dimensions to application scalability. For example, applications can scale up to a large number of cores on a computing unit, scale out to utilise multiple distinct compute units, or exhibit elastic scaling to acquire and release resources on-demand based on current needs.

Scaling can also span edge, cloud, cluster and accelerated resources. The result may be an application that can solve a larger problem, increase throughput or reduce execution time.

To scale, applications need to be supported by tools, middleware, software cyber-infrastructure, programming frameworks, computing infrastructure, etc. The SCALE Challenge is concerned with advances in application development and their supporting infrastructure to enable 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. Problems that have a social impact are of particular interest.

Submission guidelines

• Submit technical short papers up to 6 pages, including figures and tables but excluding references.

• Technical papers should use the following sections and clearly outline the following information.

  • Problem identification: An overview of the problem being solved and the techniques employed.
  • Motivation: The motivating application scenario and its scaling requirements.
  • Materials and methods: The proposed solution, including system architecture, underlying concepts and technologies used, and the innovative aspects of the solution.
  • Results: Performance metrics (number of cores, computational throughput, I/O bandwidth, data/metadata operations, etc.), preliminary empirical evidence, and a qualitative description of how the application scales – scale-up, scale-out or any other type of scaling.
  • Discussion: Impact of the solution, including its extensibility, the uniqueness of the solutions and the results, and the extent to which the proposed solution pushes the envelope in scalable computing.
  • State of the Art: An analysis of the solution and technology employed in contrast to related and alternative approaches from research and technology.

• Use the IEEE conference template via EasyChair.

• When submitting papers, select 'CCGrid2026 TCSC SCALE Challenge' to ensure correct assignment.

• Papers must be in PDF format.

• The proposals should use the following sections and clearly outline:

Review

Based on the submitted metrics, the submissions will undergo a single-blind peer review by a program committee.

Accepted papers

Accepted papers will be published through the IEEE Xplore Digital Library as part of the CCGrid companion proceedings.

The conference will be held in person. One author of each accepted paper must register at the conference and present their work and demonstration in person at a special SCALE Challenge session.

Participation by students and early-career researchers, especially in leadership roles, is strongly encouraged.

TCSC SCALE Challenge award

The technical committee will shortlist finalists from submitted proposals and invite them to present their work and offer a live demonstration of their system or software solution at the CCGrid 2026 conference, in Sydney, Australia.

A panel of experts will then select a first-prize winner at the conference. The winner will be presented with the TCSC SCALE Challenge award for 2026 with a cash prize of US $1,000 sponsored by IEEE TCSC.

Important dates

• Abstract and submission: 18 February
• Finalist notification: 2 March
• Camera-ready paper submission: 15 March 2026
• Conference: 18 to 21 May