Interdisciplinary approaches need a different R&D strategy and a new science management in companies, institutes, universities and also funding agencies. To prevent doubling of work in different disciplines a stronger coordination of actual research directions across disciplines is necessary. R&D on nanotechnology is established in an innovative environment, which is characterised by a huge amount of highly specialised areas. The combination and guidance of the knowledge of the involved experts opens the chance for revolutionary innovations. Therefore it is already now important to provide the necessary infrastructure to develop this innovation potential in our companies. This means for the most branches an interdisciplinary approach. Europe has a high density of industry, many high-tech companies, enthusiastic researchers with best research results and with venture capital organisations, which are willing to support new directions. The interdisciplinary approach could be performed in networks with topics related to areas with a high market potential.

A survey of european Nanotechnology networks is available on:

http://www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/networks.htm

Nanoforum will take the lead of this initiative in the future.