The Research Application Consultation and Hosting Request allows UAlbany researchers to request help evaluating hosting options for a research web application, API, database, dashboard, or similar application service.
ITS will review the application’s purpose, users, data, technical requirements, security, authentication, estimated cost, funding, and ongoing support needs. Based on that assessment, ITS will recommend an appropriate hosting or computing path and determine whether ITS-supported hosting is feasible.
Submitting this request begins an assessment. It does not guarantee that ITS will host the application.
What’s Included
- Consultation for a new, existing, or externally hosted research application
- Evaluation of hosting, infrastructure, database, storage, networking, authentication, security, cost, and support requirements
- Guidance on the appropriate ITS hosting, cloud, web, or research computing path
If ITS-supported hosting is approved, the application’s architecture, funding, responsibilities, implementation work, and ongoing support arrangements will be documented separately.
What’s Not Included
- Basic informational websites or general web content. These may be referred to Web Services.
- Ordinary batch computing, model training, or analysis that does not require a continuously available application. These may be referred to HPC or the AI Supercomputer.
- Guaranteed acceptance, implementation, funding, application development, or 24x7 operational support.
For an unexpected failure affecting a research application that ITS already hosts or supports, submit an Incident rather than this request.
Eligibility
UAlbany faculty and other eligible research personnel may submit a request for a University research purpose.
Student-developed applications require an identified faculty or organizational sponsor and a sustainable plan for application ownership, maintenance, funding, support, and retirement.
More Information
Before submitting the request, be prepared to provide available information about:
- The application’s purpose, intended users, current development stage, and desired availability
- Its technical components, data, integrations, authentication needs, and source-code location
- The application owner, technical contact, expected lifespan, and potential funding source
Complete information is not required before requesting consultation. Researchers are encouraged to involve ITS early, preferably before selecting a hosting architecture, purchasing infrastructure, or building integrations with University systems.