ERA-Net

NanoSci-ERA
Duration: 2005-2008

Objective
The main objective of the NanoSci-ERA network is to overcome fragmentation in nano-sciences by organising joint calls and conferences and by opening up national research infrastructure, among other measures. The great potential of nano-sciences has given many countries an incentive to increase their investments in this field. Although Europe's current level of investment in nano-sciences is not as high as that in the U.S. or Japan, the European Commission and European countries provide a combined total of nearly EUR 1 billion in funding for nano-sciences.
However, these endeavours have been undertaken without much coordination. In most cases, individual programmes focus on the relevant national capacities and needs and are developed independently of one another. Up to now, cooperation between national programmes has been limited to a few specific applications. The new NanoSci-ERA network aims to promote new cooperation arrangements and the integration of those isolated programmes.
As a result, the network will create a sound European basis for nano-sciences and thus contribute to lasting prosperity in Europe. The three-year NanoSci-ERA coordination initiative aims to establish an effective and sustainable network among the most important national funding agencies for nano-scientific research in Europe.
In the long term, this will bring about closer cooperation and enhanced harmonisation in research policy. In the first phase, the actual network among national partners will be developed, thus enabling the systematic exchange of information and best practices. This network will form the basis for open cooperation in the future. After a review of current research programmes and capacities, joint transnational proposals will be developed for research.

Participating countries/organisations
France: Centre nationale de la recherche scientifique; France: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique; France: Ministère Délégué à la Recherche; Austria: Austrian Science Fund (FWF); Finland: Academy of Finland; Germany: German Research Foundation (DFG); Israel: Israel Science Foundation; Italy: Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia; Netherlands: Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter; Netherlands: Technology Foundation STW; Spain: Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC); United Kingdom: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Slovakia: Slovak Academy of Sciences; Poland: Ministry of Education and Science; Portugal: Instituto Superior Tecnico

Role of the FWF
The FWF is specifically responsible for expanding contacts with partner organisations in new and future EU member states.

Status of the FWF
Partner, Work Package Leader

Contact at the FWF
Dr. Stefan Uttenthaler

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