News

NWO Free Competition grant for theoretical computer scientist

Research proposal "Design and analysis of Secure Distributed Protocols" accepted.

In the second round of the Free Competition 2009, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO-EW) has awarded a grant to the research proposal of VU University Amsterdam Professor Wan Fokkink, along with grants for ten other research proposals. The research proposal "Design and analysis of Secure Distributed Protocols" will receive a grant of nearly 400,000 euros. The research will be carried out in conjunction with  Radboud University Nijmegen.

Research
Distributed communication protocols are the very hub of all network applications. They see to it, for example, that two computers are in agreement about who has sent a message, and what it contained. Many new types of network applications have been developed in recent years such as on-line shopping, auctions and voting. Security and privacy are essential to the success of these applications. In this project the researchers will look into the conversion of correct systems to secure systems. Eventually they hope to adapt and expand the practical design and analysis method for distributed protocols so that they can be applied to newer, more complex, security protocols.

Innovative research with a high degree of urgency
The Sciences Free Competition is intended for the best scientific project proposals without preconditions regarding the theme or field. The proposals must involve innovative, risky research based on a high-quality research question and with a high degree of urgency from an academic or applied point of view. The Free Competition is an important funding instrument for the further development of the science disciplines and for making multi-disciplinary research possible.