Our mission
Our mission is to enable transformative research discoveries by connecting researchers with computational expertise.
Arizona State University in collaboration with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has created the Cross-Institutional Research Engagement Network (CIREN) for cyberinfrastructure (CI) facilitators. The purpose of this NSF-funded project is to help fill a critical deficit of CI facilitators. The program provides training to current and future facilitators to expand their ability to engage in transformational research utilizing high-performance computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Many research projects lack these in-demand skillsets needed to advance computing/data-intensive aspects of their work. To address this challenge, CIREN provides and executes a framework to recruit, train and engage CI facilitators within multi-disciplinary, cross-institutional research projects, thereby increasing their impact and scope, and serving as an effective model to nurture an innovative research community.
Facilitation career path
This activity provides an entry point for novice facilitators and a sustainable career path for existing CI facilitators at academic institutions while connecting them with meaningful research projects.
Training and mentorship
Through outreach, training, peer-mentoring and an open repository of resources, CIREN elevates the role of CI facilitators in the research community and lowers their barriers to entry into the CI workforce.
Connect skilled facilitators to research projects
CIREN matches CI facilitators with researchers that would benefit from CI resources in their projects. Bringing CI expertise and solutions to the research community, particularly nontraditional domains, will catalyze innovative scientific discoveries.
CIREN was funded by the National Science Foundation to establish the Cross-Institutional Research Engagement Network (CIREN) for cyberinfrastructure (CI) facilitators at ASU.
NSF Award #2230108. Learn more about this grant.