NanoNextNL gets the go-ahead
NanoNextNL, the partnership between industry and knowledge institutes has been given the go-ahead by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. With a letter of commitment, the Ministry has made the Dutch Cabinet's previously pledged 125 million euros for microtechnological and nanotechnological research in the Netherlands officially available to the consortium. This means that the research programme can now start. The Cabinet had already reserved the funding on the basis of the approved programme proposal 'Towards a Sustainable and Open Innovation Ecosystem'. This was submitted within the Economic Structure Enhancing Fund High-Tech Systems & Materials (FES-HTSM) in 2009. The Strategic Research Agenda from 2008 produced by the Netherlands Nano Initiative (NNI: a partnership between NanoNed, the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter and Technology Foundation STW) formed the basis for this.
NanoNextNL has a total budget of 250 million euros, half of which is being contributed by the partnership of more than 100 companies, universities, knowledge institutes and university medical centres. The NanonextNL Foundation is the official secretary of the consortium, which will focus on researching and valorising new developments in the areas of microtechnology and nanotechnology.
By initiating and supervising research projects, NanoNextNL wants to create a sustainable and competitive, open innovation ecosystem that provides new commercial opportunities, innovative products and knowledge infrastructure. NanoNextNL is a selective continuation of results from the NanoNed and MicroNed programmes.
Chair of NanoNextNL, Prof.dr.ir. Dave Blank, is delighted to have received the letter of commitment:
"The Netherlands has a leading position in the areas of microtechnology and nanotechnology in high- tech systems and materials. Thanks to the definite awarding of the grant, we can continue current lines of research and further develop these in the direction of applications and products. By responding to developments in society, NanoNextNL will make a contribution to the challenges faced in the areas of health, nutrition, energy and clean water. Risk analysis and the impact of nanotechnology is an important aspect of this research programme."
The results and technologies developed in this microscale and nanoscale research can be widely used. NanoNextNL will focus on research within ten themes: Energy, Nanomedicine, Clean Water, Food, Beyond Moore (Nano-electronics), Nanomaterials, Bionanotechnology, Nanomanufacturing, Sensors, and Risk analysis and impact of nanotechnology.
Further information
The programme office of the NanonextNL Foundation is housed at Technology Foundation STW.
The contact person is Dr. Léon Gielgens, +31 (0)30 600 13 18.
Photos can be obtained via nanonextnl@stw.nl.