About e-IRG

The e-Infrastructure Reflection Group (e-IRG) Meeting coordinates on a high European level the introduction of a (grid based) infrastructure for e-Science.

Mission of the e-IRG

The main objective of the e-IRG is to support on the political, advisory and monitoring level, the creation of a policy and administrative framework for the easy and cost-effective shared use of electronic resources in Europe (focusing on Grid-computing, data storage, and networking resources) across technological, administrative and national domains.

The mission of e-IRG was drafted in Rome on 10 december 2003.

Objectives

• To identify the fundamental fabric, services and resources needed to enable pan-European e-Science

Recommend resource sharing policy guidelines to:

• National Grid initiatives
• Regional & European – wide e-Infrastructure projects
• Contribute to International policy fora
• Give input to other policy drafting bodies e.g. ESFRI, NREN PC etc.
• Focus first on eScience application user groups (as enablers of novel architectures) but also address wider application domains (e.g. eLearning, eGovernment, eHealth, eCulture, eBusiness, etc.) within the ERIA (European Research and Innovation Area)
• Identify, inform and promote GRID awareness among communities who can benefit from sharing resources
• Address Governance issues of Grid deployment
• Draw upon the experience of the NREN community (Structure, Operations, AUPs)

Structure

The e-IRG consists of official delegations from the ministries of Science of the various European countries (go to the list of members). e-IRG also coordinates these activities with international initiatives outside of Europe. The structure is embedded in the e-IRG Bylaws.

• Consists of appointed Member, Accession and Associated States Representatives plus EC officials
• The executive board consists of a chair elected by the members and three board members representing the rotating EU Presidency (past – current – future presidencies each deliver one board member, see the overview of future presidencies below
• Operational support provided through the EC by means of the e-IRGSP II
• Good links to resources from EU flagship projects (EGEE, DEISA, GN2) and other possible initiatives.

Current Executive Board:

e-IRG regularly delegates work to Task Forces. e-IRG is also sometimes officially represented in external Task Forces and committees.

More about e-IRG bodies and official representations

Read more about:
> the history of the e-IRG