Oracle is participating in a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and facilitated by Internet2 to create innovative cloud computing capabilities for science applications and scientific computing research.

Internet2, a non-profit advanced technology community founded by colleges and universities, will manage two phases of the project. Known as Exploring Clouds for Acceleration of Science (E-CAS), the project will analyze cloud platforms to determine their strengths and capabilities for research and computational science across several academic disciplines.

Phase 1 will support six scientific and engineering applications and workflows with cloud computing capabilities. Then, two projects from the original six will be funded for a further year, measuring the scientific impact and results.

“Oracle is committed to ensuring that campus challenges are met, and the research and education communities are provided with the best technology to be successful,” said Jenny Tsai-Smith, vice president, Curriculum Development of Oracle. “Working with Internet2 and the National Science Foundation on E-CAS we are able to help these institutions gain access to the cutting-edge cloud computing technology they need to further ground-breaking discoveries through research.”

“The E-CAS project intends to accelerate scientific discovery through the integration and optimization of commercial cloud service advancements with cyberinfrastructure resources,” said Jamie Sunderland, executive director of service development at Internet2. “It also aims at identifying gaps between cloud provider capabilities and the potential for what they could provide to enhance academic research; and provide initial steps in documenting patterns and leading deployment practices to share with the community.”

Oracle partners with educators, researchers, students and university-affiliated entrepreneurship programs to create solutions that deliver significant positive impact to humanity and our world. Through the Oracle Cloud Innovation Accelerator program, Oracle grants cloud credits and provides technical support in support of those efforts. For example, one accelerator participant, The University of Bristol, is using cloud credits their cloud credits for various research projects in chemistry and life sciences.

“The University of Bristol is proud to be working so closely with Oracle to explore the prospects of doing things in a different way. It is undoubtedly the case that high capability computing is ever more central to the science endeavor,” said Professor Guy Orpen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus at the University of Bristol. “Being able to access these capabilities in Oracle Cloud through the Oracle Cloud Innovation Accelerator program lowers barriers to entry so that more exploratory research, more groundbreaking and innovative research can be done.”

Oracle is in collaboration with the Internet2 NET+ program through an agreement with Mythics, providing services on a provisional basis to Internet2 member institutions at a discounted community pricing structure. As such, research institutions can leverage Oracle’s computing capabilities in conjunction with Mythics to access a dedicated network connecting universities with federal and state agencies.

As an Internet2 industry member, Oracle has been contributing to this collaborative environment and working with a large cross-section of the research and education community to ensure that the Oracle Cloud meets campus challenges and benefits all member institutions’ teaching, learning and research needs.