NICTA, Australia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Research Centre of Excellence, has secured a place in the European Commission’s prestigious 7th Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (FP7).
“This is a significant achievement for NICTA and Australian ICT research on the international stage, and the first time the organisation has been included in the 7th Framework program,” said NICTA’s Networked Systems Research Group Manager, Dr Max Ott.
NICTA will participate in an FP7 collaborative project called Nano Data Centres (NADA) which aims to revolutionise the way information is delivered over the Internet. It has EU funding of €3.01 million (AUD$4.94m) over 36 months. The total cost of the project, including contributions from each participant, is €4.9 million (AUD$7.9m.) NICTA will invest resources worth more than AUD$290,000.
NADA will seek to build an Internet architecture that delivers data from the edge of the Internet, instead of the familiar network-centric architecture that stores content in data centres that are connected to Internet backbones.
“I am delighted NICTA’s research into advanced communications architecture and distributed services has been recognised for the world-class contribution it can make to future applications and research platforms,” said Dr Ott. “Gaining a place in the highly competitive European Commission Framework program is a tribute to the international standing of NICTA researchers.”
The NADA project represents a paradigm shift toward highly distributed service delivery platforms and its results promise enhanced performance of home entertainment networks, low-cost content delivery and support for new applications in the online games arena. One of the world’s largest video communications technology companies, Thomson SA, and global telecommunications company Telefonica, are among the NADA project partners.
“NICTA’s participation in this FP7 project strengthens Australia’s profile as a world-class performer of strategic ICT research,” said NICTA Chief Operating Officer Dr Phil Robertson. “Information and communications technology is a key driver of innovation and economic growth, and makes a significant contribution to the creation of wealth and jobs across the economy.”
NADA is a collaborative FP7 project involving nine partners: Thomson SA; Universite Pierre et Marie Curie; Institute EURECOM; Telefonica I+D; Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology; First Oversi; Centre for Research and Technology Hellas; Martel GmbH, and NICTA.
With a total budget of over €50 billion made up of contributions from EU member states, the Framework Program is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe. It is a structure for applied ICT research to benefit EU states. Each program runs for seven years.
Document(s): 
NICTA Wins Place in Premier European Commission Research Program
Contact: Dorothy Kennedy
Phone: +61 2 8374 5489
Email: dorothy.kennedy@nicta.com.au