The Dutch research-IT landscape is rich, but fragmented and hence difficult to navigate for researchers. SURF members join forces in Innovation Zones (IZ) for transformation and co-creation around shared ambitions for research-IT. The IZ for Infrastructures, as a shared workspace and incubator, transforms the Dutch landscape by collectively and responsibly removing barriers. This accelerates science by optimizing the use of available infrastructure and expertise.
In this talk we focus on three technically oriented IZ programs that move the needle towards a more seamlessly integrated and future ready research-IT ecosystem in the Netherlands. These programs are; User Friendliness, Federation & Interoperability and Future Applications & Workflows. We will introduce each program and showcase first results from ongoing proof of concepts (PoC’s) with Research groups, Tier-2 HPC and Digital Competence Centers in 2026. The PoC’s are relevant for Research Supporters as we explore new opportunities and functionalities for i.a., federated access, data management, user friendly interfaces to complex services, network monitoring, optimizing research software, AI for science and secure data processing
With planning already underway for 2027 we end the presentation with initial ideas for new explorations, an interactive Q&A and opportunities for the audience to engage with the IZ after the Research Day.