Internet2 IDEA Awards
Wave of the Future Category
The 2008 Internet2 IDEA “Wave of the Future” Award is a new category for the Internet2 Driving Exemplary Applications (IDEA) Awards program. The "Wave of the Future" is intended to recognize innovators who are developing and deploying advanced applications that specifically require or make use of a dedicated optical circuit with capacities up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).
The “Wave of the Future” category builds on the community-led judging process and criteria developed for Internet2 IDEA awards, which are intended to encourage and showcase projects that apply the latest in advanced networking capabilities to enable transformational progress in research, to enhance teaching and learning, and to potentially increase the impact of next-generation networks around the world.
Through sponsorship provided by Level 3, the winning submission in the "Wave of the Future" category will receive a dedicated, point-to-point optical circuit of up to 10 Gbps on the new Internet2 network infrastructure between two Internet2 Connectors for a one year period. The backbone circuit will be provided specifically to support and enable the award-winning project.
Submitters should anticipate costs associated with local and regional connections required to access the backbone circuit. Submitters are encouraged to contact Internet2 Connectors in advance to plan for the appropriate connectivity and to discuss the costs associated with it. If desired, Internet2 will work with the winning submitter and the designated Connectors to facilitate connectivity to the Internet2 Network.
To select the winner, the Internet2 IDEA Award judging panel will apply the criteria developed for the Internet2 IDEA Award:
- Magnitude of the positive impact of the application for its (current) users
- Technical merit of the application
- Breadth of impact, as indicated by current user base and likelihood of broader adoption by its full natural community of potential users
- Submissions take advantage of the unique capabilities of the Internet2 network infrastructure—that is they are notfully usable on the commercial Internet at the time of their implementation.
Strong consideration will be given to the demonstrable impact of the application on its current users, the extent of the current user population, and the potential for widespread adoption by and usefulness to others with similar needs who have access to advanced R&E networks around the world.
The prize is made possible with the strong support of Level 3, which is an active member of the R&E community.
