The term "cyberinfrastructure" was recently coined by NSF management to connote not only advanced scientific computing but a more comprehensive infrastructure for research and education based upon distributed but federated networks of computers, information resources, on-line instruments, and human interfaces. It provides a more convenient way to talk about IT-based infrastructure in contrast to more traditional science infrastructure. Specific projects built upon cyberinfrastructure are using names such as GRID, E-science communities, and collaboratory.
.... [the Blue Ribbon Panel defines cyberinfrastructure] to be a set of functions, capabilities, and/or services that make it easier, quicker, and less expensive to develop, provision, and operate a relatively broad range of applications. This can include facilities, software, tools, documentation, and associated human support organizations.
—Draft report, page 10
The National Science Foundation (NSF) appointed a Blue Ribbon Panel on Cyber Infrastructure in 2001 to evaluate the performance of the NSF's Partnerships for Advanced Computational Infrastructure (PACI) program in meeting the needs of the scientific research and engineering community. It was also charged with recommending new areas of emphasis for the NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering and with recommending an implementation plan to enact those new directions.
A draft report, released in April 2002, laid out an exciting vision of the future for science and engineering research and education. The development of the cyberinfrastructure INITIATIVE, as proposed by this panel, would lay the groundwork for exploiting the full potential of technology in the service of advancements in science and engineering.
Dr. Atkins will describe the vision and recommendations of the panel, report on the next steps for NSF, and welcome discussion about the roles of research libraries in advancing the INITIATIVE.