National Nanotechnology Initiative

In 2000, President Clinton launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to coordinate federal R&D efforts and promote U.S. competitiveness in nanotechnology. Congress first funded the NNI in FY2001 and has provided increased appropriations for nanotechnology R&D in each subsequent year. In 2003, Congress enacted the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act. The Act provided a statutory foundation for the NNI, established programs, assigned agency responsibilities, authorized funding levels, and initiated research to address key issues.

Federal R&D investments are focused on advancing understanding of fundamental nanoscale phenomena and on developing nanomaterials, nanoscale devices and systems, instrumentation, standards, measurement science, and the tools and processes needed for nanomanufacturing.

NNI appropriations also fund the construction and operation of major research facilities and the acquisition of instrumentation. Finally, the NNI supports research directed at identifying and managing potential environmental, health, and safety impacts of nanotechnology, as well as its ethical, legal and societal implications.