Scientific research in a growing and diverse number of disciplines is becoming increasingly dependent on large-scale computational resources. LinkSCEEM recognizes that to remain competitive, scientists in the Eastern Mediterranean area must be provided with High Performance Computing (HPC) recourses sustained by technical expertise and know-how.

The first phase of LinkSCEEM (April 2008-January 2010), an FP7 Support Action, succeeded in raising the general awareness of HPC and computational science in the Eastern Mediterranean and in implementing a network of users from the region who will benefit from the availability of supercomputer systems. LinkSCEEM has also been a catalyst for the development of ties among research organizations in the region.

The current phase of the project, LinkSCEEM-2, aims at further developing a Virtual Research Community in Computational Science in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The objectives of LinkSCEEM-2 are to achieve the following:

• Optimally integrate regional computational resources utilizing expertise and best practices from established leading HPC centres
• Create user support and training programs, and an active networking process to engage research communities and enable scientists in the region to utilize HPC
• Enable research of particular relevance to the region in Climate Science, Cultural Heritage and Synchrotron Applications

LinkSCEEM-2 is a joint collaborative effort of 11 Institutions in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the US, funded in part by the European Commission’s 7^th Framework Programme.