The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Kentucky nearly $1.4 million over three years to aid in the development of Kentucky’s research computing cyberinfrastructure (CI). ​The project will create a new Kentucky Research Computing team (KyRC), which is being led by Brian Nichols from UK Information Technology Services, James Griffioen with the UK Center for Computational Sciences, and Doyle Friskney with UK Department of Communication and Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. 

KyRC will focus on the use and development of CI technologies to advance research at universities across the Commonwealth. It will provide Kentucky researchers and institutions with the resources they need to keep up with the rapid change and development occurring in research, particularly given the growing compute and data intensive demands associated with big data collection and analysis. These resources include access to three full-time CI engineers and a community facilitator who will work with leadership teams and IT groups to build on existing expertise. 

Not only will KyRC work regionally, but it also plans to participate in national efforts including the Campus Research Computing Consortium (CaRCC).

CaRCC and other national CI groups will share expertise and benefit from the experiences of other CI experts and users. KyRC will also develop educational curriculum and training materials for advanced CI to be used to support STEM activities and training materials for workforce development. 

“We are constantly aiming to build on a collaborative environment within the University of Kentucky as well as across the Commonwealth,” Nichols said. “Receipt of this grant gives us an opportunity to advance cyberinfrastructure in a lasting capacity.” 

Project partners include UK, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Kentucky Regional Optical Network and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.