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About the ORAN Activity Support Program
The purpose of the ORAN Activity Support Program is to provide funding support to facilitate the addition of staff or support operating costs of the provincial ORANs in order to enable them to better serve CANARIE's objectives as defined in our Funding Agreement with Industry Canada.
It has been recognized that, regardless of the size of the ORAN, there is a need for additional personnel or other resources to support the ORAN's activities in areas that cannot be supported exclusively by contributions from host institutions or other partners. This need may differ among ORANs, with some choosing to focus the additional resources in areas primarily related to CANARIE's technology innovation mandate and others choosing to focus on areas relating to CANARIE's network operations (i.e. "connectivity") mandate.
CANARIE's preference is always to have a general program to support the ORANS rather than one that makes arbitrary distinctions among them. Therefore, this program is available to all ten provincially-based ORANs. Special arrangements will be made to support activities in Canada's Northern territories.
Expenses outlined in submitted Proposals should address the objectives defined in CANARIE's Funding Agreement with Industry Canada. These objectives are enumerated as follows:
Network Operations: To continue to operate the CANARIE Network as essential research infrastructure and to the extent resources permit,
- Expand the provision of advanced network capabilities to Canada's research and education community;
- Upgrade the capacity of the network in keeping with demand;
- Increase access to and use of the network by real and virtual organizations consistent with the network's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP); and
- Enhance Canada's involvement in international networking and networking-focused collaborations.
Technology Innovation: To develop, demonstrate and implement next generation technologies to advance the CANARIE Network as a leading-edge research network, and to the extent resources permit,
- Develop service-oriented-architecture-based software interfaces and tools that facilitate flexible use of network resources;
- Develop service-oriented-architecture-based software interfaces, applications and tools that facilitate flexible and integrated use of distributed equipment and resources; and
- Reinforce Canada's position as a recognized leader in the development and use of advanced research networks.
Performance Measurement Indicators
CANARIE has defined "performance measurement indicators" (PMIs) that should be used to determine the success of the activities being undertaken with funding provided through this Program:
PMI-1: Network Operations (Connectivity)
- The number of new connected institutions, including the number of researchers and other users at each institution;
- The percentage increase in capacity of the network; and
- The percentage increase in use of the network.
PMI-2: Technology Innovation
- Examples of use of the network by researchers and educators who are world leaders in their fields; and
- Examples of next generation technologies, their use and value (economic, social, quality of life).
ORANs, in consultation with CANARIE, may develop additional PMIs.
Based on these PMIs, ORANs will be required to submit a brief report on activities for each year for which funding is provided. This report will be due to CANARIE by May 31st of the year following any funded expenditures, starting in 2009.