UbuntuNet Alliance has once again partnered with the International Networks at the Indiana University in the five year $4.75 million Networks for European, American, African, and Arctic Research (NEA3R) initiative supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
International Networks at IU will jointly lead the initiative with the Advanced North Atlantic consortium, which consists of Internet2, CANARIE, GÉANT, NORDUnet, SURF and ESnet, along with the UbuntuNet Alliance.
Jennifer Schopf, Director of International Networks at Indiana University, is principal investigator on the award. Co-principal investigators include Edward Moynihan of IU; Tom Fryer of GÉANT; René Buch of NORDUnet; and Matthews Mtumbuka of UbuntuNet Alliance.
“The awarding of this project is welcome news to UbuntuNet Alliance, as it will build on the success of the first phase and enhance collaboration with our partners in America and Europe through establishment of new exchange points and links that will give our professors, students and researchers efficient and effective internet traffic routes for improved research and education output,” says Matthews Mtumbuka, CEO of 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.
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.
“I am excited that the NSF has decided to fund the NEA3R Project. This will help further enhance the resilience and bandwidth between the U.S. and Europe for research and education. Indiana University’s wish to work in close collaboration with the Advanced North Atlantic partners will make it possible for the NEA3R project to add to a sustainable system that will benefit many vital science projects, including the ones that help fight the current COVID-19 pandemic.” — René Buch, CEO, NORDUnet
“The NEA3R award is excellent news for research and education collaboration between Europe and the USA. By increasing the capacity established by the predecessor America Connects to Europe and NEAAR projects, and ensuring its integration with complementary links provided by the ANA collaboration including GÉANT, NEA3R will play a vital role in ensuring the capacities and route diversity needed to meet the demands of collaboration across the North Atlantic for years to come. GÉANT is excited at the prospect of working with Indiana University, NORDUnet and the UbuntuNet Alliance to build on past successes.” — Tom Fryer, head of international relations, GÉANT