Italy

Nanotechnology Research

Industria 2015 (translated as Industry 2015) is a set of recently adopted rules that aim to establish strategic measures for the future Italian development. The new framework utilizes three tools to bring the Italian industrial system in line with the highly competitive global economy. Such tools are the “enterprise net,” “innovative finance,” and “projects of industrial innovation.” There is no centralized initiative regarding nanotechnology research, but according to the 2006 Census of Nanotec IT, there were more than 170 institutions involved in the sector. According to the study, almost 4,000 units were identified as being involved in R&D activities, and public funding peaked at 60 million euros.

As of 2009, the number of institutions involved in nanotechnology-related research exceeded 200 and the yearly public expenditure was 70 million euros, lower than other highly industrialized European countries. Public funding in Italy is scattered, and a uniform allocation process has yet to be initiated. There are, however, additional sources of funding in the form of regional and European grants.

Nanotec IT was created by the Italian Association for Industrial Research in 2003. Its mission is to promote the advancement of nanotechnology and its applications in Italy. In 2006, together with some companies and public research institutions, Nanotec IT asked the Italian Government to adopt a National Initiative to effectively support R&D activities in the field of nanotechnology. Other major public institutions dealing with nanotechnology R&D include: the INSTM—the Consortium of Italian Universities for the Science and Technology of Materials, and the CNR —the Italian National Research Council, an institution with laboratories across the entire Italian territory. Another entity highly involved in nanotechnology research is the INFM—the National Institute for the Physics of Matter, which has been part of National Research Council since 2003.

Regarding future funding of nanotechnology, a new National Research Program, containing research-related objectives and tools to achieve them, should aid in coordinating future efforts and funding. An important role in promoting research in the field of nanotechnology is also played by other institutions, including the technology districts (TDs), which have grown in recent years, and chiefly consist of territorial regions where public and private entities are involved in a common field of technology.

Currently, there are six TDs in which nanotechnology is considered a key topic, and they are located in or correspond to distinct Italian regions: Veneto, Apulia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Umbria, Sicily, and Campania. Some of the TDs are also members of the Association of Technology Districts (ADITE), an association created in late 2006 to better coordinate the work plan of TDs. The TD located in Veneto conceived a business plan competition called Nanochallenge, which was renamed the Nanochallenge and Polymerchallenge (with the sponsorship of the TD located in Campania), to fund innovative ideas in nanotechnology and polymer-based materials. This competition aims at funding high-tech start-ups and promoting venture capital funding.

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