Get Started with MSI
Access to MSI resources is available to Principal Investigators (PIs) and their research groups. PI's without current MSI access can apply for MSI accounts for themselves and their group members. If you are a member of a research group and want access to MSI you will need to gain it though your PI. If your PI has access to MSI they can add new users to their group and complete yearly renewals using the myMSI interface.
- Who Can Get Access?
- Request a New MSI PI Group
- What Are Your Allocations?
- What Do I Do After I Get Access?
University of Minnesota Faculty, PIs, and organizations that have purchased time on the MSI systems are eligible to initiate accounts for themselves and their group members. The following individuals are eligible to open a PI group at MSI:
- Faculty members at the University of Minnesota (job classification 9401 to 9403, 9410, 9362)
- Instructor Faculty members at the University of Minnesota (job classification 9404)
- The appropriate dean, department head, or center director must submit the MSI Non-faculty PI eligibility form for these academic professionals to be eligible for accounts.
- University of Minnesota Academic Professionals (job classification 97xx)
- If their research is not part of research led by a faculty member and/or a center/institute.
- The appropriate dean, department head, or center director must submit the MSI Non-faculty PI eligibility form in order for these academic professionals to be eligible for accounts.
- Faculty researchers at other accredited institutions of post-secondary education in the State of Minnesota.
- Due to licensing agreements, some software packages cannot be used by the research groups of PIs not affiliated with the University of Minnesota.
- For questions about specific software packages, please contact MSI support staff at [email protected].
- Emeritus faculty of the University of Minnesota
- Contact our support staff to begin your access request or renewal.
PLEASE NOTE: Postdocs are not eligible to be an MSI PI.
A faculty member may request accounts for students in a course they are teaching. These requests should be made at least two weeks before the class begins.
Applying for Class Accounts
To request a new MSI Group, fill out the Initial Access Request Form (ensure you are logged into the University VPN).
New MSI PIs are allocated by default 150 GB of high-performance storage. Larger storage allocations can be requested when you become an MSI user and during your yearly account renewal.
More Information about Storage Allocations
Our Access Guides in our Knowledge Base are a good way to learn how to connect to and navigate within MSI systems. MSI also has Tutorials that offer training beyond what is covered in the Quick Start Guides.