The RNCA – National Advanced Computing Network – is managed by Foundation for Science and Technology, IP (FCT), designed to provide advanced computing services to the research, technology, and innovation communities. It was created by the Digital Skills Initiative Portugal INCoDe.2030, through Council of Ministers resolution 26/2018. It was integrated into the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest (RNIE) in April 2019 through Order No. 4157/2019 of the Office of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.

According to its internal regulations, the RNCA has the following organization, after formal appointment of its respective bodies:

Where,

  • The “Coordination Council” is the highest management body of the RNCA, consisting of a representative from each Operational Center and each Competence Center.
  • “RNCA Manager” is responsible for conducting the RNCA’s activities and is accountable to the Coordination Council.
  • The "Access Committee" is responsible for implementing access to RNCA resources. It reviews and prioritizes usage proposals from user communities, based on an access policy.
  • “External Advisory Committee”, which supports the FCT and the RNCA bodies, advising them whenever necessary, on the strategic direction of the RNCA.
  • “RNCA User Forum”, which is the body for sharing knowledge and advice by the wider RNCA user community.

RNCA's main areas of activity

Infrastructure

COs provide the user community with advanced computing services as well as the corresponding technical support services, with a set of minimum requirements that they must meet, particularly in terms of technological capacity.

The CC guarantees the user community, in a logic of proximity, supports the effective and efficient application of advanced computing resources, namely technical support services, information visualization, training, advice and aid for program development.

  • Connectivity between centers

Centers connected through a dedicated high-performance network provided by FCT-FCCN and integrated into the Science, Technology and Society Network (RCTS) – which guarantees interconnection and internet access up to 100 Gbps for the teaching and research community

Infostructure

  • Management and financing

Implementation of public policies to bridge the gap between existing infrastructures that are complex and expensive to use and people, in order to promote access to high-value services and software.

To promote the adoption of standards and best practices to create interoperability and cooperation between entities

As tools to support Advanced Computing

Monitoring and implementation of the National Advanced Computing Strategy

People

RNCA aims to be a reference in Education and Training of People in fundamental and applied Areas of Advanced Computing Knowledge.

  • Support teams

Dedicated Advanced Computing Services Operators in COs and CCs with strong advanced computing skills

Promotion of events related to Advanced Computing