The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) has announced its support for one of the largest funding rounds that has been made available to the micro and nanotechnology sector.
A combined total of at least EUR250m in co-funded grants is available to UK organisations wishing to submit collaborative research and development proposals in the next 12 months directly relevant to the micro and nanotechnology research sector.
The money is a combination of European Commission, UK Technology Strategy Board and the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSCR) resources.
The opportunities cover a range of activities from basic research through to full industrial implementation and also activities to cover risk and engagement elements.
Choosing the right call is critical for UK organisations to expand their ambitions over the next two to five years.
Support for in preparing calls is crucial as the schemes are governed by different funding mechanisms.
The UK national, regional and devolved administrations offer support through the UK NanoKTN as well as the official National Contact Point Service (NCP) and the European Enterprise Networks (EENs).
In the UK, the Technology Strategy Board has launched its latest autumn 2008 collaborative research call, a GBP72m investment into innovative research and development projects in eight key areas including: high value manufacturing, photonics, energy generation and supply, and network security.
The competitions will be split into three phases and the first three competitions (photonics, advanced materials and intelligent transport systems and services) opened on 17 November 2008.
The second phase opens on 19 January 2009 and covers high value manufacturing, energy generation and supply, photonics and low impact buildings, and the third and final phase opens on 16 March 2009 and covers creative industries, energy generation and supply and network security.
The European Commission is running the third FP7 NMP (nanoscience, nanotechnology, materials and production) theme call within the cooperation programme.
The NMP theme has delegated a budget of GBP3.5bn over seven years and approximately EUR250m of this budget is now available in this third call, which opened in November.
The theme covers the development and application of enabling nanotechnologies to many sectors.
The call is divided into research topics including micro and manufacturing, sensor development and outreach and networking.
There are also research topics for sensing projects that include Russian partners.
The EPSRC is also offering funding via its Nanoscience through Engineering Application programme, designed to enable the UK to make an international impact in the developing field.
A budget of GBP19m has been set aside for research and GBP30m has been set aside for training.
By offering this funding, the EPSRC hopes to develop nanotechnology research in areas that can make a significant difference, such as healthcare and energy.
