In its 10 years of operation, the NANOMAT programme has led to the acquisition of extensive knowledge and fostered dynamic research groups and successful commercial products. An external evaluation of the programme concluded that all in all the programme has been a success.

“The NANOMAT programme has built an excellent platform for continued research activities. We are extremely pleased that the NANO2021 programme will be launched as a 10-year, large-scale programme. By conducting concentrated, integrated research activities, the programme will further enhance the expertise, quality and capacity built up by Norway’s nanotechnology research community during the past decade, in part under the NANOMAT programme,” explains Vidar Skagestad, Special Adviser and Programme Coordinator of the NANO2021 programme.

The NANO2021 programme promotes fundamental knowledge and responsible technological development as a basis for innovation and for tackling wide-ranging societal challenges in priority areas such as energy and the environment, natural resources and health. This entails ensuring that new knowledge and technology are utilised to the benefit of society. The new programme will therefore attach greater importance than the previous programme to research on health-related, environmental and social issues relating to the development and application of nanotechnology.

The Norwegian Government’s new national strategy for nanotechnology (to be launched in spring 2012) will provide the framework for further targeting of research topics, focus areas and priorities under the programme and for the ultimate design and focus of the work programme.

“To ensure there is no loss of momentum and to keep up continuity in the first-rate research being conducted in nanotechnology and advanced materials, the Research Council is working to issue the programme’s first call for proposals before Christmas of this year, with an application deadline of 15 February 2012,” says Mr Skagestad.

(Translated by Victoria Coleman/Carol B. Eckmann)

Programme Coordinator Vidar Skagestad is pleased that the successor to the NANOMAT programme is now in place.