Nanotechnology in the EC Programmes
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the EC Research Programmes
Through the multi-annual Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, the European Community provides funding for research carried out at European level. Nowadays, the European Commission supports a significant portfolio of nanotechnology projects.
Already in the 4th Framework Programme (1994 - 1998), some 80 projects involving nanotechnology were funded which amount to 30 € million.
In the 5th Framework Programme (1998 - 2002), the estimated funding level is about 45 € million per year. The overall budget is 14.96 € billion and comprises four Thematic Programmes and three Horizontal Programmes. Nanotechnology falls under virtually all programmes; the overall project portfolio is very wide in scope, encompassing for example nano-electronic devices, giant magneto-resistance, carbon nano-tubes, bio-sensors, molecular diagnostics, nano-composite materials, atomic force microscopes etc.
The 6th Framework Programme (2002 - 2006) contains a strong focus on nanotechnology. Out of a total proposed funding of 17.5 € billion, 1.3 € billion is be devoted to the priority thematic area of research on Nanotechnology, knowledge-based materials and new industrial processes (NMP). Within an integrated approach, long term projects (research and networks) are funded with the aim of stimulating the introduction of nanotechnologies in existing industrial sectors and/or of originating novel breakthroughs, which can lead to entirely new materials, new devices, new products and new industries.
The 7th Framework Programme does - for the first time - last for seven years and it is structured along four specific programmes: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. A considerable increase of the budget for nanotechnology is foreseen, which will form part of Theme Four "Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies - NMP" within the Cooperation programme, but will be addressed by many others Themes and specific programmes. The total budget of FP7 is 50,521 million Euro with 3,467 million Euro for NMP.
Important activities, also for FP7, are Technology Platforms, that bring together companies, research institutions, the financial world and the regulatory authorities at the European level to define a common research agenda which should mobilise a critical mass of - national and European - public and private resources. Within nanotechnology, so far two Technology Platforms are set up: Nanoelectronics and Nanomedicine. Furthermore, the Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry SusChem highlights nanomaterials within its New Materials section and the Technology Platform for Industrial Safety ETPIS addresses occupational health and safety in nanotechnology.
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(140 KB), last update: May 2004
