About the NNI

Welcome to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) website. The NNI serves as the central point of communication, cooperation, and collaboration for all Federal agencies engaged in nanotechnology research, bringing together the expertise needed to advance this broad and complex field.

The Initiative has had strong, bipartisan support from the Executive and Legislative branches of Government since its creation in 2000. The NNI involves the nanotechnology-related activities of 25 Federal agencies, 15 of which have specific budgets for nanotechnology R&D. The agencies involved allocate expenditures from their core budgets, demonstrating nanotechnology’s importance to their mission.

What is the NNI?

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a multi-agency U.S. Government program that coordinates Federal efforts in nanotechnology.

The NSET Subcommittee

The NSET Subcommittee is the interagency body responsible for coordination of the National Nanotechnology Initiative.

Working Groups

The NSET Subcommittee created four Working Groups to enhance coordination and collaboration among NNI agencies.

National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)

The NNCO provides staff support to the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee.

Contact Information

Names, titles, and contact information for NNCO staff.

Acronyms

A list of nanotechnology- and NNI-related acronyms.


Nano and Energy brochure cover

Nanotechnology and Energy: Powerful Things from a Tiny World

This educational brochure provides an overview of nanotechology's potential applications in the energy sector, including information on batteries, catalysts, solar cells, and green fuels.

 

Nanotechnology: Big Things from a Tiny World brochure cover

Nanotechnology: Big Things from a Tiny World

An educational overview of nanotechnology and its potential, written for general audiences.

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Questions? Contact Marlowe Epstein,
Communications Director

Nanotechnology Fact

The 2012 Federal Budget provides $2.1 billion for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), reflecting steady growth in the NNI investment. The cumulative NNI investment since fiscal year 2001, including the 2012 request, now totals over $16.5 billion. Cumulative investments in nanotechnology-related environmental, health, and safety research since 2005 now total nearly $575 million. Cumulative investments in education and in research on ethical, legal, and other societal dimensions of nanotechnology since 2005 total more than $390 million.