INSTITUTE OF ACCELERATING SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS

Their core work

IASA is a Greek research institute affiliated with the University of Athens, specializing in particle accelerator physics, advanced computing, and large-scale scientific infrastructure. They contribute computational expertise and data analysis capabilities to major European research infrastructures — from the Large Hadron Collider to the European Open Science Cloud. In recent years, they have expanded into 5G network technologies and AI-driven analytics for transport and industry, applying their deep computing know-how to vertical sectors like railways and energy.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), IASA focused on fundamental science — particle physics at the LHC, planetary science through Europlanet, accelerator design, and science education outreach. From 2019 onward, there is a clear pivot toward applied digital infrastructure: 5G network architectures, European Open Science Cloud services, and AI-driven prescriptive analytics for railways. The thread connecting both periods is advanced computing and data analysis, but the applications have shifted from pure research toward industrial and infrastructure deployment.

IASA is moving from fundamental physics computing toward applied digital infrastructure — 5G, edge computing, and AI analytics — making them increasingly relevant for industry-facing consortia.

How they like to work

IASA has never coordinated an H2020 project, consistently serving as a specialist partner contributing specific computational and technical expertise to large consortia. With 260 unique partners across 47 countries, they operate as a well-connected node rather than a project driver — comfortable joining diverse teams and adapting their computing skills to different domains. Their broad partner network and cross-sector participation suggest they are easy to integrate into new consortia.

Remarkably broad network for their size: 260 unique partners across 47 countries from just 12 projects, reflecting their participation in large-scale infrastructure initiatives (EGI, EOSC, 5G trials). Their reach extends well beyond Europe into global scientific collaborations.

What sets them apart

IASA bridges the gap between fundamental physics research and applied digital infrastructure in a way few academic groups can. Their accelerator physics roots give them deep expertise in high-performance computing and massive data processing, which they now apply to 5G networks, cloud platforms, and industrial AI. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: a partner comfortable in both CERN-scale physics and telecom industry verticals, backed by a university institution with strong Greek and pan-European connections.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 5G-VICTORI
  Their largest funded project (EUR 495K), demonstrating large-scale 5G field trials for rail, energy, and media industries — a significant step from physics into applied telecom.
• EOSC-hub
  Second-largest funding (EUR 374K), central to building the European Open Science Cloud — positioned IASA at the heart of Europe's research data infrastructure.
• AMVA4NewPhysics
  Marie Curie training network for advanced multivariate analysis at the LHC, reflecting their core identity in particle physics and machine learning.