The Policy Board of the European Grid organisation EGI.org has decided to establish its head office at Amsterdam Science Park, the international knowledge centre for the natural sciences set up in collaboration between the UvA, the municipality of Amsterdam and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). EGI (European Grid Initiative) is a joint venture by the European members states aimed at realising a sustainable computer grid infrastructure. This computer network provides multiple users with easy access to the facilities of systems around the world, including data storage, computing power and processing power. In addition to Amsterdam, seven other European cities had announced their candidacy as potential locations for the new head office. The arrival of EGI.org will provide a significant impulse to the Science Park.

Paul Doop, Vice Chairman of the UvA Board, looks forward to welcoming EGI.org to the Science Park. ‘EGI's decision further underlines the Science Park's strong position within the alliance between UvA, NWO and SARA. The organisation's priorities are in line with the UvA Faculty of Science's focus on E-science. This will help solidify the relationship between research at the UvA and the broader scope of activities at the Science Park.'

‘The decision to establish the EGI.org head office at Amsterdam Science Park is an important step towards the introduction of a sustainable European grid infrastructure', explains Gaspar Barreira, Chairman of the EGI Policy Board. ‘From now on, we will all be focused on the definitive design of a new international research infrastructure in Europe, with a large number of countries collaborating to realise the world's largest operational grid computing facility.'

‘The municipality of Amsterdam is extremely pleased that the EGI.org Policy Board has decided to establish its head office at the Science Park', says Lodewijk Asscher, Alderman for Economic Affairs. ‘The Science Park is home to a large cluster of organisations specialising in the natural sciences and IT. EGI.org will be a perfect complement to this existing structure, helping to improve the climate for commercial activities.'

EGI.org will be a fully functioning coordinative body by early 2010 and will be funded through membership fees levied from the European member states and an expected contribution from the European Committee.

About the Science Park

Amsterdam Science Park, located in the Watergraafsmeer district, is the international knowledge centre for the natural sciences based around a collaboration between the UvA, the municipality of Amsterdam and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. Part of the Faculty of Science (FNWI) is already located at the Science Park, where intensive collaboration is underway with other institutes established on-site. In 2010, the entire FNWI - currently still spread out over various locations in the city - will relocate to the Science Park. The Science Park will also be home to other organisations, such as Amsterdam University College, a joint venture between the UvA and VU University Amsterdam, and the UvA/HvA sports centre (USC).