Research Cloud

Compute
Virtual Research Environment
last modified

February 19, 2026

What is it?

SURF Research Cloud is a portal where you easily build a virtual research environment. You can use preconfigured workspaces and datasets or add them yourself. Institutions, research communities and suppliers can contribute to Research Cloud’s functionality and catalogue by integrating their computing and data services.

SURF Research Cloud is hosted at the SURF data centre in Amsterdam.

What can it be used for?

SURF Research Cloud enables you to run 1 or more servers with applications that can be accessible over the internet.

  • Hosting web applications, these can be connected to SRAM for secure authentication. You can easily start more servers to increase availability and preformance.

  • Running a desktop environment with analysis tools, use your favourite desktop tools on an environment with more performance. Unlike for SciCloud, GPU resources are available. You can easily connect an environment to your data on Research Drive or Yoda.

  • Hosting a highly secure research environment where sensitive data cannot leave the VRE: SURF SANE.