JISC

The mission of the National Grid Service (NGS) is to provide coherent electronic access for UK researchers to all computational and data based resources and facilities required to carry out their research, independent of resource or researcher location.

Within this broad goal, the aim of this project is the provision and exploitation of a sustainable framework for integration of computing and data services. In order to achieve this the NGS will:

• deploy and support the services required to operate collaborative data and computation services in the UK
• encourage and support integrated (grid) access to the full range of the UK’s computation, data and other appropriate research facilities, with ‘single sign on’ support that is fully integrated into the standard practices of UK institutions
• provide support and training for inter-institutional e-research activities through provision of coordinated services, and direct support for innovative projects
• expand the community of e-infrastructure resource providers by providing the national framework and support services, to facilitate inter-institutional collaboration
• disseminate best practice in the operation and use of shared e-infrastructure services through documentation, reviews and focused support events
• interface to partner international (grid) infrastructures as required to support UK researchers
• collaborate with other national and international e-infrastructures in appropriate research, development, standardisation activities which form synergies with the NGS and its mission
• develop the business models and plan for sustaining the infrastructure required to support UK researchers
• lead engagement with the European Grid Initiative for the UK, developing a long term plan with GridPP and other stakeholders to deliver a single National Grid Initiative (NGI).

To be successful, these activities will be increasingly embedded in the routine operations of UK HEIs and research organisations. The NGS already links resources in 24 UK Universities and research labs, through its partnership process. This facilitates collaborative research within and between institutes using e-infrastructure at a minimal cost to HEIs. Achieving the successful embedding of these activities through expanded partner engagement, broader uptake of services and distribution of activities is a central theme of the NGS service.

See details of earlier phases of the NGS project