Belgium - Nanotechnology and Nanoscience-based projects through generic research programmes
The FNRS (Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique or National Fund for Scientific Research) is involved in the financing of Nanotechnology- and Nanoscience-based projects in the universities of the French community of Belgium (CFWB or Communauté française Wallonie Bruxelles). The developed financing procedure of the CFWB consists in a bottom-up approach where proposals are yearly submitted and are selected after evaluation by scientific committees.
To achieve this goal of supporting generic research programmes, three types of tools are available:
- temporary research grants;
- permanent research positions;
- research initiatives (mostly for equipment).
To develop generic scientific research in the fields of Nanotechnologies and nanosciences in the framework of initiatives presented by researchers; to stimulate the production and development of knowledge by supporting individual researchers as well as interuniversity research programmes.
The projects are grouped and evaluated by thematic areas. The commissions related to Nanotechnologies are:
- physics;
- mineral and organic chemistry;
- physical chemistry
- solid state,
The projects accepted in 2002 (or earlier) for financing in 2003 cover a broad range of research areas from nanometric transistors to carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. 11 permanent researchers of which 3 have been hired in 2002 are active in this field.
To achieve this goal of supporting generic research programmes, three types of tools are available:
- temporary research grants;
- permanent research positions;
- research initiatives (mostly for equipment).
To develop generic scientific research in the fields of Nanotechnologies and nanosciences in the framework of initiatives presented by researchers; to stimulate the production and development of knowledge by supporting individual researchers as well as interuniversity research programmes.
The projects are grouped and evaluated by thematic areas. The commissions related to Nanotechnologies are:
- physics;
- mineral and organic chemistry;
- physical chemistry
- solid state,
The projects accepted in 2002 (or earlier) for financing in 2003 cover a broad range of research areas from nanometric transistors to carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. 11 permanent researchers of which 3 have been hired in 2002 are active in this field.