A Europe-wide Interoperable Virtual Research Environment to Empower Multidisciplinary Research Communities and Accelerate Innovation and Collaboration

Abstract:
The VRE4EIC project addresses key data and software challenges in supporting multidisciplinary data driven sciences. These include: 1) understanding complex user requirements across domains by closely involving committed user communities; 2) improving the quality of VRE user experience by providing user centred, secure, privacy compliant, sustainable environments for accessing data, composing workflows and tracking data publications; 3) increasing VRE usage in multidisciplinary research domains by abstracting and reusing building blocks and workflows from existing VRE initiatives; 4) improving the interoperability of heterogeneous discovery, contextual and detailed metadata across all layers of the VRE; and 5) promoting the exploitation of VRE4EIC solutions to different research communities and commercially.

ERCIM's role:
Project coordinator

Duration:
36 months from October 2015 to September 2018

Total cost: 4,4 Mio €

Total EC Funding: 4,4 Mio €

Partners:
CWI, CNR, FORTH, TU Delft, EUROCRIS, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica et Vulcanologia, University of Amsterdam.

Building Research environments for fostering Innovation, Decision making, Governance and Education to support Blue growth

Abstract:
BlueBRIDGE responds to the Juncker Investment Plan opening funding opportunities for e-Infrastructures, innovating current practices in producing & delivering scientific knowledge advice to competent authorities & enlarges the spectrum of growth opportunities in distinctive Blue Growth areas. BlueBRIDGE builds on existing EU and International e-Infrastructures providing capacity building in interdisciplinary research communities of scientists, data managers and educators in academic institution.

ERCIM's role:
ERCIM Office provides administrative and financial support

Duration:
30 months from September 2015 to February 2018

Total cost: 5,3 Mio €

Total EC Funding: 5,3 Mio €

Partners:
CNR, ERCIM EEIG, ENGINEERING - INGEGNERIA INFORMATICA SPA, ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS FAO, INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEA, INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT, FORTH, TRUST-IT SERVICES LTD, OLOKLIROMENA PLIROFORIAKA SISTIMATA, COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES EXPERTS ANONYMOS ETAIREIA SYMVOULEFTIKON KAI ANAPTYXIAKON YPIRESION, COLLECTE LOCALISATION SATELLITES SA, STIFTELSEN GRID ARENDAL,ASSOCIATION POLE MER BRETAGNE.

Integrating Big Data, Software & Communities for Addressing Europe’s Societal Challenges

Abstract:
BigDataEurope aims to provide an adaptable, easy to deploy and use solution, which will allow the interested user groups and stakeholders to extend their Big Data solutions or introduce Big Data technology to their business processes, based on a concrete methodology for producing a technically sound solution and maximizing its out-reach to the relevant communities in Health, Food, Energy, Transport, Climate, Social Sciences and Security.

ERCIM's role:
Project partner

Duration:
36 months from January 2015 to December 2017

Total cost: 4,938,238.75 €

Total EC Funding: 4,938,238.75 €

Partners:
Fraunhofer IAIS, National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, TenForce, Semantic Web Company, InfAI, W3C/GEIE ERCIM, The Open PHACTS Foundation, Centre for renewable energy source and saving foundation, FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives, European Union Satellite Centre.

WAI-DEV : Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Ecosystem for Inclusive Design and Development 

Abstract:
WAI-DEV, Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Ecosystem for Inclusive Design and Development, will develop strategies to support mainstream production of inclusive components and services; demonstrate the potential value and showcase good practice in inclusive design; and support enhanced policy strategies for consistent adoption and implementation of accessibility by public and private sector organisations.

WAI-DEV will primarily target the Web as the essential technical platform and universal interface for information and communication technology (ICT) through which to address the accessibility of advanced technologies and delivery channels including those for mobile devices, portable computers, digital television, telephony, and more. It will build upon recent technical and policy advancements in accessibility and on the cross-cutting benefits of accessibility for everyone regardless of age, gender, software, hardware, connectivity, language, literacy, digital skills, social and economic situations, and physical and mental abilities. It will thereby facilitate more mainstream market adoption of accessible and inclusive design-for-all practices throughout the production chain, and support implementation of accessibility policies and targets set by the European Commission and EU Member States.

WAI-DEV will result in:

• Support for industrial strategies for the production of inclusive components and services;
• Demonstration of the social and economic value and of good practice in inclusive design;
• Enhanced policy strategies that support the adoption and implementation of accessibility.

ERCIM's role:
Project coordinator

Duration:
30 months from February 2014 to July 2016

Total cost: 871,575.00 €

Total EC Funding: 499,000.00 €

Partners:
W3C/GEIE ERCIM,