Materials Research The present programme has been preceeded by a number of National Programmes (MUPs) within the broad area of Materials Research. The present programme started in 2000 and will continue for app. 41/2 years with an annual funding of 2 M EUR.The strategy for materials research should within it's area contribute to the realisation of the overall goals of the National Research Strategy._ Technological innovation and increased employmentThe results of materials research are often prerequisites for progress in other technological areas, and as such a good basis for technological innovation. Materials research is at the same time important as a contributor to maintaining a high level of employment in manufacturing in Denmark in general._ Improvements in the quality of life, the environment and healthContinued progress within materials research is a prerequisite for maintaining a high stan-dard of living. Materials research must contribute to the continued development of more suitable materials and processes, having minimal negative impact on the internal and external environment._ Higher quality in education, and accelerated production and dissemination of knowledgeThe goal is to maintain a Danish materials research of high international quality and relevance, as a prerequisite for accelerated innovation and creation of spin-off companies, through providing incentives for joint research projects between public and private sector R&D, and through highly qualified university graduates and researchers.The transfer of leading edge research results from academic research to industry should be facilitated through the Masters and PhD programmes as well as through direct co-operation between academic researchers and researchers in industry. A major benefit from government funded research, to industry and to society in general, is the knowledge and skills of the university graduates and PhDs as they move on to jobs outside or pursue careers as researchers in a research institution.The strategy for materials research should within it's area contribute to the realisation of the overall goals of the National Research Strategy. - Technological innovation and increased employment - Improvements in the quality of life, the environment and health - Higher quality in education, and accelerated production and dissemination of knowledge - The transfer of leading edge research results from academic research to industry should be facilitated through the Masters and PhD programmes as well as through direct co-operation between academic researchers and researchers in industry.A number of promising future focus areas have received particularly high priority: - Nanotechnology and functional nanostructures. - Microsystems. - Biocompatible materials. - Functional polymer materials.Research in these focus areas has received high priority in the open competition for funding from the Danish Research Councils and from other relevant sources of financing.It has also been an area of focus to establish Danish Centres of Excellence within Materials Research. For instance the Danish Polymer Centre (http://www.polymers.dk) and an Enginieering Centre of Excellence (http://www.metals4d.dk)Materials research in the institutions of higher education and in research establishments is financed through core funding from the government, supplemented with government programme funding or grants from private foundations.The Board of the Research Councils and the Danish Research Councils (in the Danish Research Agency) did allocate the research funds. The funds were applied for by individual researchers or groups of researchers in open competition, the primary evaluation criteria being high research quality and innovation.The following projects have been granted: http://www.forsk.dk/forskpro/materialer/projekter.htmApart from these projects many individual projects have been financed through the Danish Research Council Councils. In general there are many smaller groups of researchers at a number of universities that are engaged in Materials Research.
