European Union

EU Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Policy

The official European Commission involvement in nanosciences and nanotechnologies policies began in 2004. The Commission had previously funded research in this area. Since the beginning of the 21st century, international competition has really begun to increase in this field, and with it the demand for a concrete translation of scientific results in Europe into commercially viable products and processes, in addition to maintaining a high scientific level. Furthermore, it seems that the need to respond to the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), put in place by President Bill Clinton as a federal initiative in 2001 and the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (Public Law 108–153), induced the launch of a similar public global strategy in Europe. Finally, remembering past experiences, the European Commission feared (as has been written about often from that time) the renewal of the European “paradox,” meaning that despite excellent scientific results, the acceptance threshold of society would remain very low and that potential economic achievements would not come to fruition. Thereafter, the European Commission began to publish communications on nanosciences and nanotechnologies.

The first step toward a European nanoinitiative was a communication from the Commission titled, “Toward a European Strategy for Nanotechnology,” which was published on May 5, 2004. This communication was the origin of a Europe-wide strategy, defining the regulations to be followed regarding a list of actions. The emphasis was on research and development (R&D) to reinforce the industrial exploitation of nanotechnologies, while maintaining scientific excellence. From this action came, in parallel, the wish to develop world-class competitive R&D infrastructures, to promote interdisciplinary education and training with a strong entrepreneurial mind-set, and to ensure favorable conditions for technology transfer and innovation.

...