What is NEST?

Opening the frontiers of tomorrow's research

NEST (New and Emerging Science and Technology) is a new activity in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). It aims to support unconventional and visionary research with the potential to open new fields for European science and technology, as well as research on potential problems uncovered by science.

NEST is designed to be flexible and interdisciplinary research is encouraged. There are no restrictions on the scientific fields to be addressed except that the research carried out under NEST should cut across or lie outside the thematic priority areas. NEST will not support projects which simply cannot find their home in one of FP6's thematic priorities.

In addition to developing new scientific understanding and capabilities, and opening up new fields, NEST activities aim to consolidate European efforts in emerging fields of research and assist in planning future activities in support to a European Research Area. They will help to nurture themes that will need larger-scale support in future European research programmes.

NEST involves three complementary Action Lines, each contributing to the overall goal of improving European anticipation of future scientific and technological needs.

The overall budget for NEST within FP6 is € 215 million