Nanotechnology oriented projects through generic research programme The region of Flanders has a bottom-up approach for R&D funding. As regional funding agency, the IWT organisation funds applied research and technological development, via public R&D activities in generic programmes. For this purpose IWT has different instruments available such as: _ SBO (Strategic Basic Research); _ industrial basic research; _ Sustainable Technological Development - in the format of a bonus funding. A non exhaustive list of organisations involved in funded projects related to Nanotechnology are listed below. Agfa Gevaert; Imec ; LUC (Limburgs Universitair Centrum) ; Universiteit Antwerpen; Innogenetics; Umicore ; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Bekaert - BTC; Janssen Pharmaceutica; AMI Semiconductors; Rijksuniversiteit Gent; VITO; Mol; VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). In 2000 and 2001, 4,8 Mio EUR has been allocated to Nanotechnology oriented projects through different generic research programmes allowing bottom-up projects (ie not thematic calls).Give rise to bottom up research efforts in nanotechnologyIn this way different nano-related topics are funded such as nanocomposites; nanopowder; nano dispersions; molecular nanotechnology; nano metals; nano filtration; nano coatings.The selection of the projects is based on 2 main criteria: S&T dimension and economical valorisation in Flanders.