External Evaluations of the NNI

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a prepublication copy of their latest review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, stating that the report “provides a framework for a redesign of the NNI and its coordination with the goal of achieving a U.S. resurgence in nanotechnology." The document is available for download through the National Academies Press website.

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released its most recent review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative in a letter report, stating “The NNI has created a foundation for researchers to unearth the scientific secrets of the smallest scale and begin to amplify them into reimagined devices, systems, and new ways of engineering that will address some of the Nation’s greatest challenges.”

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a crosscutting national vision for nanotechnology development in the United States. The Federal effort in nanotechnology coordinates U.S. investment in research and development (R&D) in nanoscale science, engineering, technology, and related activities across the U.S. Government. In FY2014, even though five agencies garnered 93 percent of the Federal spending in nanotechnology R&D, 27 agency units from 20 top‐level Federal entities participated in nanotechnology activities.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created in 2000 to focus and coordinate the nanoscience and nanotechnology research and development (R&D) activities being funded by several federal agencies. The purpose of the NNI is to marshal these research activities in order to accelerate responsible development and deployment of nanotechnology for economic benefit and national security. To take stock of the progress of the NNI, Congress, in P. L.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a crosscutting Federal program designed to coordinate U.S. investment in research and development (R&D) activities in nanoscale science, engineering, technology, and related efforts across 25 agencies and programs. This is the fourth review of the NNI by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) since the council was designated in 2004 as the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel tasked with reviewing the initiative.

The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Budget, released in February 2003, tasked the President’s Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) with reviewing the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and
making recommendations for strengthening the program. Congress ratified the need for an outside advisory
body with its passage of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 2003 (the Act),
which called for the President to establish or designate a National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel (NNAP).

The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-153) calls for a
National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel (NNAP) to periodically review the Federal nanotechnology research
and development (R&D) program known as the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The President’s
Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) is designated by Executive Order to serve as the NNAP.

Based on a review of the NNI's EHS Research Strategy, this book recommends a robust national strategic plan for addressing nanotechnology-related EHS risks, which will need to focus on promoting research that can assist all stakeholders, including federal agencies, in planning, controlling, and optimizing the use of engineered nanomaterials while minimizing EHS effects of concern to society.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created in 2000 to focus and coordinate the nanoscience and nanotechnology research and development (R&D) activities being funded by several federal agencies. The purpose of the NNI is to marshal these research activities in order to accelerate responsible development and deployment of nanotechnology for economic benefit and national security. To take stock of the progress of the NNI, Congress, in P. L.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is the U.S. Government’s crosscutting program that coordinates
Federal research and development (R&D) activities in nanoscale science, engineering, technology,
and related efforts among various participating agencies. The Federal Government launched the NNI
in FY 2001 with an initial $500 million budget to accelerate the development of nanotechnology. Over
the ensuing 10 years, with cumulative Federal spending of $12 billion, the NNI has played a key role in