We aim to make research infrastructures within the Berlin University Alliance more visible and, where desired and possible, easily accessible. In the areas of high-performance computing, storage and e-learning services, Objective 5 is currently working on three main areas: a joint identity management system for software services, a jointly operated high-performance computing center currently in the planning stage and a SciencePortal that will provide access to powerful large language models.

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Identity management

A joint authentication and authorization infrastructure is necessary for the cross-university use of the corresponding IT services. This will be implemented in the form of a federated identity management system. For this purpose, a uniform open-source software platform will be used with each BUA university linking the software to its own identity management system.

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Data Center

In May 2025, a joint letter of intent was signed addressing the future cooperation between the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) and the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB). The aim is to coordinate the establishment of a high-performance data center on the HZB campus in Berlin-Adlershof, which will be used across institutions. This will strengthen the digital research infrastructure in the areas of HPC, AI and research data management in the long term.

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Science Portal

The SciencePortal will be a digital platform that offers scientists and students access to powerful large language models for their research and teaching activities. The SciencePortal intends to be a central hub for AI-supported scientific work with different emphases on autonomy, collaboration and local integration depending on the implementation.