 NMP-2007-1.1-4 Development of methodology, collection and elaboration of scientific-technical and socio-economic data and studies on nanosciences and nanotechnologies, including risk assessment, and establishment of an observatory.
Technical content/scope: Investment in nanotechnology is rising in Europe as well as worldwide. As for all technologies, “limits” and “risks” need to be addressed. Stakeholders need reliable and complete data in order to take decisions such as for the allocation of funding, regulations or other initiatives. With this support action an observatory should be established, appropriate methodology developed, data collected and analysed so as to provide European decision makers with state-of-the-art analyses as well as dynamic assessments of nanotechnology development and use, allowing stakeholders to understand levels of success and critical issues, and to take actions. The expected support action could include networking of existing national activities and/or centres, and address: research and relevant economic activities of countries and organisations with a focus on comparing the European Research Area with other significant regions of the world; strategies and trends of research in nanotechnology not under public funding; nanotechnology infrastructures in respect to their availability and accessibility in Europe; market data and market potential in nanotechnology and nanotechnological sub-areas, including products and sectors involved; road-mapping; economic and social impact of nanotechnology, including consideration of needs for science-based communication. A roadmap of actions, actors and timing could also be developed with the view of achieving a "safe and responsible" level of competitiveness for the European nanotechnology-based industry. When appropriate, possible best practices should be identified. A balanced “governing board” encompassing with equilibrium representatives of all main EU stakeholders should be established. This action should take into account relevant existing and ongoing activities, and be complementary to them. A user-friendly and inter-operable database that links together the different pieces of information should be created so as to allow cross analyses and comprehensive overviews. . It should also aim at integrating or linking, where appropriate, relevant data available from other sources, such as specific databases on the impact of nanotechnology on public health, occupational safety, and the environment.
Funding scheme: Coordination and support actions aiming at supporting research activities.
Specific features: The indicative duration of this action should be 4 years. Maximum grant: € 4 million. Only one observatory and support action will be funded. Gender issues should be considered and gender-specific data should be produced, where possible.
Expected impact: (i) Support to the European Commission and the EU Member States decision making procedures; (ii) support to actions and work of all stakeholders: researchers, industrialists, investors and the “civil society”; (iii) orientation for the appropriateness for dedicated European infrastructures and the possible interest of creating poles of excellence in well identified subjects; (iv) sustainable development; (v) support to good governance in nanotechnology; (vi) implementation of the European Commission’s Action Plan for Nanotechnology.
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