ePLAN is the national platform for data-intensive and compute-intensive research in the Netherlands. It unites research organizations from data-intensive and compute-intensive application domains, computer and data science and the national digital infrastructure. The aims of ePLAN are to (1) advocate the optimal application of digital technologies in academic research, (2) promote the use of outcomes from computer and data science and the methodologies from computational science, (3) to support the optimal deployment of and feedback to digital infrastructures and (4) to be a visible contact point for government, industry and society. The Terms of Reference of the platform can be found below.
Terms of Reference ePLAN
1. Purpose of ePLAN
ePLAN is the national platform for data-intensive and compute-intensive research in the Netherlands. It unites research organizations from data-intensive and compute-intensive application domains, computer and data science and the national digital infrastructure. The purpose is to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach towards policy makers, universities, European bodies and organizations and other relevant stakeholders and to review and express the needs from academia into research support and infrastructure. The aims of ePLAN are to (1) advocate the optimal application of digital technologies in academic research, (2) promote the use of outcomes from computer and data science and the methodologies from computational science, (3) to support the optimal deployment of and feedback to digital infrastructures and (4) to be a visible contact point for government, industry and society.
2. Definitions
a. ePLAN is a virtual and informal platform, with representatives from academic institutions that feel represented by the terms of reference of the platform and support its goals and instruments.
b. The national digital infrastructure refers to the networks, computing facilities, data services, eScience support and research software, available on the national level, to the Dutch academic community.
3. Membership
a. ePLAN membership is open to organizations and individual groups from all disciplines where data-intensive and compute-intensive research takes place and organizations that provide digital services to the academic community.
b. ePLAN members can be institutes, platforms, networks, centers, national or large research schools and research infrastructures, with the platform representing the broad spectrum of academia.
c. Preferably one or more organizations from the following domains areas are represented in or by ePLAN:
- Social sciences & humanities
- Life sciences & health
- Engineering sciences
- Physical sciences
- Computer and data science
- the National digital infrastructure
d. ePLAN has a kernel group of members that are prepared to devote time and experience to the community of ePLAN members, that comprises five to seven members including the Chair. New members can apply for membership by an e-mail request to the chair.
4. Activities
a. Identify, share and publicize challenges, new developments and best practices in the area of data-intensive and compute-intensive research.
b. Organize informational events and interactive workshops for researchers and policy makers to share relevant academic and technological trends and developments.
c. Represent the Dutch data-intensive and compute-intensive research community nationally and internationally, if opportune, and in addition to the individual representations from the participating members.
d. Coordinate actions towards improved provisioning of digital infrastructure for research, for example by surveying the Dutch academic community about needs and developments.
5. Working methods
a. ePLAN is chaired by the Netherlands eScience Center in their capacity as intermediary between data-intensive and compute-intensive application domains, Computer and data science and the national digital infrastructure.
b. The ePLAN chair organizes platform meetings, with a minimum of two (online or physical) meetings per year.
c. ePLAN progresses its work primarily by electronic means (e-mail, Skype group calls) and only holds face-to-face meetings when necessary (excluding the recurring platform meetings).
d. External communication of ePLAN developments, activities and results takes place through the website of ePLAN (escience-platform.nl) and the regular communication channels of the ePLAN members.
e. Every two years, ePLAN reviews its relevance, value, composition and if necessary, updates its terms of reference.
f. ePLAN is supported by a small secretariat, provided by the eScience Center, that plans and organizes platform meetings, sets the agenda based on suggestions from ePLAN members, arranges practical matters and manages administration within in the resource limit. The secretariat can be contacted at eplan@esciencecenter.nl.
escience-platform.nl 
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