The European Commission

The European Union recognised the importance of research networking many years ago and has been a major supporter of the development of European research networking through its Research and Development Framework Programmes. Via these programs, it has funded both the development of networks and specific initiatives that have resulted in new applications, and the transferance of knowledge and expertise, in the European research networking community.

Meeting the demanding requirements of Europe's research and education community involves building pan-European networks whose capacity and reach are well in advance of those provided by commercial networks.  The European Commission recognised this and has co-funded successive generations of pan-European research networks, as well as a number of studies and projects related to initiatives to provide research networking connectivity to other world regions.

The Commission, on behalf of the European Union, has co-funded European research networking initiatives because of their contribution to the advancement of research and education, to enhancing the competitiveness of Europe's researchers, and thus to European economic growth and competitiveness more generally.

All of the projects to date in which DANTE has been involved have benefited from co-funding from the European Commission.