National eResearch Architecture Taskforce

The NeAT activity aims to develop and assist the adoption of new eResearch methods and tools.

NeAT projects are developed through a process that combines expertise from within Platforms for Collaboration and expertise from within collaborative research communities to provide the best possible outcomes.

The PfC contribution to NeAT activities is budgeted on a continuous average expenditure of $3 million per annum, i.e., $12 million in total over 4 years. The funding and timeline leads to two rounds of decision-making: an initial set of projects to start in 2008-09 and a second set of projects to start in 2009-10. In addition, in the year 2007-08 extension activities from APAC were agreed in the interim and referred to as Proto-NeAT.

The rationale for two rounds of major projects is:

• that not all decisions should be made at once, so that the experience in NeAT can be leveraged in later developments
• that any significant development will require at least 2 years work because of the complexity of the technologies involved
• that projects should be structured to complete within the funding period (complete by end of 2010-11)

Further Details

• Projects
  • Final specifications for agreed projects to be implemented by ANDS and ARCS

• Arrangements
  • Details of the funding, governance and other implementation arrangements

• Meetings
  • Agendas, papers, project proposals and notes from NeAT meetings

• Background information
  • An introduction to NeAT
  • The operational framework for NeAT as established by AeRIC
  • The overall timeline for the development of NeAT projects
  • The membership of NeAT