Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF)

Access and pricing

EIDF provides a wide range of services for academic, public sector, industry, and third-sector organisations. To access EIDF, users should submit a project application through the EIDF Portal once funding has been confirmed.

EIDF provides a price estimation tool that can be used without creating an account. To make planning easier, EIDF also offers suggested bundles for common project needs, including:

• GPU workloads
• Big data projects
• CPU virtual desktops
• Specialist compute
• Confidential Data Workspace projects

Researchers should ensure that they have secured the necessary funding for their compute and storage requirements before submitting a project application.

Simple and transparent costs

EIDF provides clear and predictable pricing, helping researchers plan project costs in advance. Unlike some public cloud providers, EIDF does not charge additional fees for data ingress and egress.

Scalable solutions

As your project develops, your EIDF resources can be adjusted. You can increase storage, access different compute options, or use specialist resources as your requirements change.

Access to advanced GPU services

EIDF provides access to cutting-edge NVIDIA GPUs, including H100, H200, and A100 accelerators. These resources are suitable for machine learning, AI, simulation, modelling, image analysis, and other computationally intensive workloads.

Secure, globally accessible storage

EIDF storage can be accessed from anywhere, subject to project permissions and governance requirements. Researchers can upload, manage, and access their data without additional data transfer charges.

Specialist AI infrastructure

EIDF includes access to the Cerebras CS-3 system, a specialist AI computing platform designed for large-scale AI workloads. For suitable use cases, this can offer significant acceleration compared with conventional approaches.

UK-based data hosting

EIDF services are hosted at the University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Computing Facility, located near Edinburgh. This helps support projects with UK-based data hosting requirements.

Confidential Data Workspace

The EIDF Confidential Data Workspace is designed for projects working with private, sensitive, consented personal, or commercially confidential data.

Compared with standard EIDF virtual desktops, the Confidential Data Workspace provides tighter controls over how data can move in and out of the project space.

It may support projects involving:

• consented personal data
• de-identified data
• commercially sensitive datasets
• managed collaborations where data needs to remain within the workspace

The service does not replace Safe Haven requirements where these are needed, but it offers an important option for projects with additional data protection requirements.

EIDF offers:

• No additional charges for data ingress and egress
• Access to EPCC expertise and support
• UK-based hosting at the Advanced Computing Facility
• Scalable storage and compute resources
• Project-based access and permissions
• GPU-enabled services
• High-memory virtual desktops
• Jupyter Notebooks
• GitLab for version control and collaboration
• S3-compatible storage
• Data publishing support
• Confidential Data Workspace

Data Management Capabilities

• Data transfer using protocols such as S3, SFTP, Rsync, Globus, and Managed File Transfer.
• Access to research-ready datasets through the EIDF Data Catalogue.
• Analytics-ready data across a range of themes.
• Collaborative code and documentation development through GitLab.
• Data publishing and DOI assignment where appropriate.

Computer Services

• High-Performance virtual desktops: Configurations available with up to 64 CPUs and 896 GB of memory
• NVIDIA H200, H100, and A100 GPU accelerators
• Cerebras CS-3 for suitable AI workloads
• Jupyter Notebooks for interactive computing
• CPU-based cloud compute resources

These services can support data analysis, modelling, machine learning, AI development, image processing, simulation, and other computational research workflows.

Confidential and sensitive data

EPCC offers distinct services for projects that need to store and process sensitive or confidential data.

These include:

• EPCC Safe Haven Services
• EIDF Confidential Data Workspace

EIDF also provides a wide range of services for non-sensitive and non-confidential data, including EIDF Virtual Desktops, cloud storage, compute, and data management services.

The EIDF Confidential Data Workspace is designed for projects working with private, sensitive, consented personal, or commercially confidential data. It provides tighter controls over how data can move in and out of a project workspace than standard EIDF virtual desktops.

You can also watch an explanation of the EIDF Confidential Data Workspace from the June 2026 EIDF drop-in session here.

Access to unique datasets

National Collection of Aerial Photography

The National Collection of Aerial Photography gives University of Edinburgh researchers access to one of the world’s largest collections of aerial photography.

With more than 30 million images captured across different time periods and locations around the world, the archive offers a unique way to study environmental, social, economic, and cultural change.

From urban growth and coastal erosion to archaeology, biodiversity, agriculture, and climate resilience, NCAP opens new possibilities for research across disciplines.

To find out more, get in touch: m.drafi-mchugh@epcc.ed.ac.uk

EIDF Data Catalogue

EIDF is committed to making data accessible for research in the public good. The EIDF Data Catalogue provides access to research-ready datasets that can support work across a wide range of disciplines.

Support and consultancy

EIDF users can access support and guidance from EPCC.

Support includes:

• helpdesk support through the EIDF Service Desk
• guidance on EIDF services and project setup
• advice on data storage, compute, and analytics workflows
• consultancy on data science and AI use cases
• tailored support for more complex requirements

The EIDF Service Desk is available during working hours, Monday to Friday.

Support links:

• Submit a query: https://portal.eidf.ac.uk/queries/submit
• Email: eidf@epcc.ed.ac.uk

EIDF can support research across a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to:

Researchers from other disciplines are encouraged to get in touch to discuss whether EIDF can support their project.

Terms and conditions

Discover more about our terms & services

Find out more about EIDF policies and how we operate to support research projects here.

Need assistance? 

The EIDF Service Desk is available to help with queries about EIDF services, access, pricing, and project requirements.

Stay connected

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