eduGAIN Enabling Australia’s national authentication framework (Federation) to connect globally is a multi-year program of work. In 2016 the AAF completed the first phase of this program of work by connecting an international R&E (Research and Education) service (LIGO — Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) as a proof of concept. IN PROGRESS Early Adopter Program In September 2016, the AAF launched an Early Adopter Program (EAP) following the success of the Next Gen Project and the development of the Software as a Service (SaaS) hosted Identity Provider solution. The program achieved expressions of interest from the AAF subscriber community to take part in the initial release of the SaaS Hosted IdP solution (commences in 2017). IN PROGRESS OpenID Connect — first steps to becoming multi- protocol The AAF embarked on the first steps to becoming multi- protocol. Funded by the NeCTAR Project, the AAF-NeCTAR OpenID Connect project was completed in November 2016. The project deliverable provided: ■ ■ Proof of concept ■ ■ Development of an experimental service that translates an OpenID authentication. OpenID Connect has potential benefits for AAF subscribers by broadening the authentication options available in the future. The AAF is one of the first federations internationally undertaking this type of innovative work. COMPLETE Data Lifecycle Framework Project This project is a joint undertaking between the AAF, ANDS, NeCTAR, RDS and AARNet. The aim of the this project is to demonstrate value through a series of coordinated activities to support a whole of data lifecycle approach to support a number of National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) data-intensive capabilities. The initial activity will be to provide a core suite of functional components for a selection of NCRIS and institutional partnerships. IN PROGRESS INNOVATION AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 15