An extended collaboration among network organizations will yield two new high-speed U.S.-Europe circuits to enhance infrastructure for researchers in the United States and their counterparts in Europe, Africa and the Arctic. Scientific fields supported by this effort -- including astronomy, high-energy physics and weather satellite applications -- will benefit through faster time to discovery and improved access to a broader set of resources and data, all of which promise economic benefit and global competitiveness.
International Networks at IU will jointly lead a five-year, $4.75 million initiative supported by the National Science Foundation for Networks for European, American, African, and Arctic Research. NEA3R will continue IU's strong collaboration with the Advanced North Atlantic consortium, which consists of Internet2, CANARIE, GÉANT, NORDUnet, SURF and ESnet, along with African partner, the UbuntuNet Alliance.
Through extensive partnerships supporting the initiative, NEA3R will provide researchers and educators with access to a broad array of geographical, ethnic and cultural resources. This increased access to educational materials and public engagement will, in turn, assist in the development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce. This award is part of the U.S. National Science Foundation's International Research Network Connections Core Improvement program.
Jennifer Schopf, director of International Networks at IU, is principal investigator on the award. Co-principal investigators include Edward Moynihan, IU; Tom Fryer, GÉANT; René Buch, NORDUnet; and Matthews Mtumbuka, UbuntuNet Alliance.
