Storage of scientific project data
Access to the storage service, including user support, is granted following individual applications.The work to be stored must meet requirements for scientific quality. The researcher must comply with the acceptable use policy and the ICT policies at their respective research institutions. An annual report stating the results and achievements from the stored data must be prepared.
Scientific data is often different from other types of data in that it is not immediately recognizable to outsiders or easily manageable due to the amount of data or number of objects. A key challenge in this regard is to structure and archive this data, as well as to make it accessible. Consequently, the data infrastructure does not only offer the resources to store the data, but also tools and resources to process and analyze the content. In addition to these core services, more specialized and adapted services may be provided. These specific services are intended to allow the users to make more efficient use of their data stored on the national e-infrastructure.
To obtain access it is required to submit an application. All applications are processed by a national resource allocation committee (RFK), appointed by the UNINETT Sigma2 Board, normally twice a year. Approved applications are granted a storage quouta inn accordance with documented needs and resource availability.Calls for proposals are published on the UNINETT Sigma2 website, normally in January and July.
When storage resources are allocated, the researcher will administer a project with allocated resources, and it is up to the researcher to decide which persons (users) will use the allocated time.
The costs associated with the operation of and investments for the service is covered by grants from the Research Council of Norway and contributions from four universities, the Universitites of Tromsø, Bergen and Oslo (UiT The Arctic University of Tromsø, UiB and UiO, respectively) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). These contributions grant the staff at these universities access to additional resources. From 2017 there will be a cost associated with using this service for projects with funding from the Norwegian Research Council or EU.
UNINETT Sigma2 coordinates the national e-infrastructure both nationally and internationally, and assists customers in the administration of allocated resources. RFK distributes resources in accordance with priorities and recommendations from UNINETT Sigma2.