CORDIS Archive : ISTweb | Research Networking

Cross-Programme Actions and GRIDs

Cross-Programme Actions in the IST Programme

The cross-programme themes are a practical manifestation of both the integrated nature of the IST Programme and of the underlying convergence of information processing, communications and media. The objective of the Cross-Programme Actions (CPAs) is to ensure that topics associated with more than one Key Action are addressed in a coherent manner, with each Key Action concentrating on and contributing from its particular perspective. These activities add value by facilitating information exchange, consensus, and co-ordination on themes that cut across the Programme.

GRIDs is a topic common to several Key Actions. It is also of a strategic nature reflecting the IST vision. It is, therefore, a natural candidate for a CPA and a specific action (CPA 9) has been created to address GRID testbeds and applications.

CPA9 - GRID Technologies and their Applications

Objectives

Collaborate with and ensure complementarity with national GRID initiatives;
Foster strong intercontinental co-operation;
Encourage the development of a Europe-wide GRID community across academia and industry;
Maintain the focus on solving compute- and data-intensive complex scientific problems;
Develop GRID technologies: middleware, toolkits, interfaces, software, system architectures, etc.;
Develop platforms and interfaces for a large variety of scientific applications;
Develop large-scale test-beds;
Promote interoperability between different technologies;
Contribute to the development of standards;
Encourage the implementation of GRID technologies in full-scale applications;
Encourage fast uptake across many industrial and commercial applications;
Play an integrating role in the cycle of research - development - integration - experimentation - deployment;
Develop demonstration and training facilities;
Consider the social aspects related to GRID technology and integrate them in EC policies.

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CPA9 projects

In the year 2001: A total of six projects were funded with a budget of €19,686 M.

Managed by Research Networking

DATATAG: Research and Technological Development for a TransAtlantic GRID
GRIDLAB: A GRID Application Toolkit and Testbed

Managed by other areas

CROSSGRID: Development of GRID Environment for Interactive Applications
GRIA: GRID Resources for Industrial Applications
GRIP: GRID Interoperability Project
EGSO: European GRID for Solar Observations

In the year 2002: Eight projects were selected for funding for approximately €11,341 M. The following projects are expected to be launched shortly:

Managed by Research Networking

FLOWGRID: Flow Simulations on Demand using GRID Computing
OPENMOLGRID: Open Computing GRID for Molecular Science and Engineering

Managed by other areas

GRACE: GRID Search and Categorisation Engine
COG: Corporate Ontology GRID
MOSES: Modular and Scalable Environment for the Semantic Web
BIOGRID: Biotechnology Information for and Knowledge GRID
GEMSS: GRID Enabled Medical Simulation Services
SELENE: Self e-Learning Networks

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What is the role of the cluster project?

GRIDSTART exploits synergies within the group of IST GRID projects and promotes internal and external dissemination of results. The objectives are achieved by stimulating cooperation among the projects participating in the cluster and by providing mechanisms to ensure relevance and coherency in dissemination towards the outside world. The target audience for the dissemination activities are both the technically aware audience, as well as the business community. To consolidate the technical work of the projects a technical committee has been established. It provides a forum for discussions and for exchange of ideas between all groups involved in GRID-related research. The aim is to gradually transform this committee into a focal point for European GRID developments and to offer support and advice to all appropriate groups. GRIDSTART also supports the EC and other national bodies in determining the direction and scope of future funding schemes in this area. Its work serves as a focal point and provides an EU-wide source of information on GRID-related activities.

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CPA9 web site

For more information and related references, please see the web site of CPA9. You can find there:

excerpts from WP2002, eEurope and FP6 texts related to GRIDs
links to IST running projects web sites and factsheets
an extensive list of GRID related sites worldwide
a list of national GRID initiatives in Europe and links to their web sites

EC funded projects (not in CPA9) related to GRIDs

IST: Research Networking

DATAGRID: Research and Technological Development for an International Data GRID
EUROGRID: Application Test-bed for European GRID Computing
DAMIEN: Distributed Applications and Middleware for Industrial Use of European Networks
GRIDSTART: GRID Dissemination, Standards, Applications, Roadmap and Training - accompanying measure - cluster

DG RTD

ASTROVIRTEL: Accessing Astronomical Archives as Virtual Telescopes - Supported by Access to research infrastructures action of the program Improving the human potential.

COST Actions

283: Computational and Information Infrastructure in the Astronomical DataGrid
282: Knowledge Exploration in Science and Technology