topic 

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology holds considerable potential for Germany, both technological and economic. There are already around 740 innovative companies involved in the development, application and marketing of nanotechnology products. Some 50,000 industrial jobs are connected with this, and the trend is upward. Experts on the field estimate that by 2015 the world-wide, cross-sector market will be worth EUR 1 trillion.

SMEs meanwhile are playing a key role in the innovation process in the area of nanotechnology and new materials. They frequently occupy specific niches in the value chain between basic research, applied research and the development of products and applications. They function in this as direct suppliers, component suppliers or service providers and produce either individual components for large companies or offer tailored system solutions or services.

The intensification of global competition in high-potential technology fields has significantly increased the development risks faced by SMEs. Additionally, a lot of time is often required for testing, approvals and trials.

Through this funding programme, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is seeking to boost the potential for innovation among SMEs engaged in world-class research and to structure research funding under its nanotechnology programme in a way that is particularly attractive to SMEs making their first application for funding. The aim of the NanoChance programme is to strengthen the industrial base in the nanotechnology field and support SMEs establishing themselves in the nanotechnologies market.

• Startups: The funding measures are intended to provide project finance with the ancillary effect of assisting company development.
• Modifying/extending the business model: For many SMEs the only way to ensure stable and long-term growth is by transforming themselves into production companies, and thus changing their business model. By supporting the research work this requires, project funding can support the sustainable expansion of the company's business activities.
• Expanding the product range through nanotechnologies: SMEs wishing to expand their product range by deploying nanotechnologies will be supported through the provision of project funding to research and develop new products.

The funding measure covers the whole range of innovation potential within the nanotechnology field. To this end the BMBF has simplified and speeded up the application and approval process and extended the advisory services available to SMEs.

Procedure

Skilled advisers are available to answer your questions. The support service will help with basic questions on funding. Just call +49 800 26 23 009. Detailed technical questions will be answered by the competent project management organisation for that area of technology. For the submission of project outlines a special online tool is available.

Information on submission

Project outlines can be submitted at any time. Evaluation cut-off dates for project outlines are 15 April and 15 October.

Funding criteria

Important criteria for a positive decision on funding are excellence, the degree of innovation, and the contribution the research will make to the solution of current socially relevant issues. The detailed evaluation criteria can be found in the funding regulations. Submitted project outlines will be assessed competitively.

Technology and application areas

In line with the published funding regulations for the BMBF's KMU-Innovationsoffensive Nanotechnologie - NanoChance funding programme, support is provided for cross-cutting R&D projects in subject areas directed at particular applications or sectors: Information on project proposals that can be classified into the fields of

• chemistry
• innovative materials, or
• energy and environment

can be obtained from the New Materials and Chemical Technologies (Neue Materialien und Chemische Technologien, NMT) department at Jülich (PtJ), the designated project management organisation. Applicants with ideas for projects in the fields of

• nanobiotechnology
• nanomedicine
• metrology, or
• optics and electronics

should contact the nanotechnologies department of the designated project management organisation for these fields, VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH.

Outlining tool

An easy-to-use, effective online tool is available for you to submit your project outlines. Please select from the following list the tool corresponding to the technology area on which your research is focused. If you have difficulty deciding which area is appropriate to your research, please contact the support service.

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  Shortcuts to funding

  Are you planning an ambitious research project in a small or medium-sized company? Then you probably have an excellent idea, but don't have much time to look for the right funding option. Through its KMU-innovativ scheme, the BMBF is trying to make access to funding as simple as possible for you.
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