Conditions for funding

1.	Preamble	9.	Innovation Committee
2.	Introduction	10.	Applicants and Project Partners
3.	Fundamental Objectives	11.	Applications
4.	Overall Approach	12.	Evaluation of Applications
5.	Phases of TOP NANO 21 Program	13.	TOP NANO 21 Project Backup and Reviews
6.	TOP NANO 21 Platform	14.	Special Features of TOP NANO 21
7.	Funding Goals	15.	Route to TOP NANO 21 Project
8.	TOP NANO 21 Project Funds and Funding Conditions

Preamble

The Technology-Oriented Program NANO 21 (TOP NANO 21) is geared towards science (ETH domain, universities, research institutes), Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) and industry.

The program revolves around the role of the NANOMETER in the world of science, technology and industry at the beginning of the 21st century.

The strategic extension of the fundamental horizons in the field of the NANOMETER is designed to result in new technologies and the industrial application of such technologies.

One particular concern is to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation - the creation of centers of competence - on the one hand between the various scientists including medicine and on the other hand between engineers and scientists with the long-term objective of creating the nano-engineer.

Increasing the levels of knowledge about the NANOMETER is intended to lead to new technologies and to support existing technologies through synergies in order to encourage the development of new products and services. These concerns should be based on the elegant, efficient and successful solutions observed in nature and on the systemic approach.

TOP NANO 21 focuses on:

• extending the scientific horizon to include the relevant sectors at the research centers and consolidating the awareness of technology.
• strengthening the Swiss economy through the development and application of new technologies based on the NANOMETER.
• integrating the subject of the NANOMETER in teaching.
• encouraging preparations for the founding of new companies.

1. Scientific and Technological Development

TOP NANO 21 is not only geared towards the special conditions in Switzerland but also to the international trends and takes account of the latest scientific findings. However these scientific findings must be correlated with the relevant technologies and the respective future applications.

The basic idea is to link up promising sectors which, in recent years, have come up with pioneering scientific discoveries and technological developments, according to the systemic approach - modeled on life in nature to a wide extent. Examples of such multidisciplinary synergies, which have already been used, are:

• GENE CHIPS, involving techniques from the field of microelectronics for DNA sequencing,
• ARTIFICIAL NOSE, linking up micromechanics, chemistry, microelectronics and neuronal networks,
• DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, involving micromechanics, microelectronics, applied material sciences (biomaterials), nanoparticles, pharmaceutical science and medicine or
• MINIATURE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES and FUEL CELLS to replace the batteries in mobile phones or laptops, combining fluid mechanics, mechanical engineering and micromechanics.

Life science	Electronics
Medical Technology	Mechanical science
Diagnostics	Information technology
Biotechnology	Nanotechnology
Biosensors	Robotics
Foodstuffs technology	Applied materials technology
Environmental engineering	Natural and engineering sciences

The NANOMETER will become the sign of a new era, as was the case with the micrometer in the past. In addition it should be emphasized that further MINIATURIZATION is heading for these dimensions and that this contains major unknown potential in terms of technological applications.

TOP NANO 21 is open to new solutions, innovative thinking patterns and work methods which we will have to put forward in the future if we are to successfully cope with a changing world.

To immediately realize the opportunities emerging in new products we require the skills and expertise of the various sectors of research and industry.

2. Changing Economic Boundary Conditions

The outline conditions for economic activity are undergoing radical change:

• The use of the NANOMETER, the understanding of the fundamental relationships and the resulting technologies offers the prospect of renewal in many branches. The NANOMETER represents a major opportunity for researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs to found new companies. It should serve as the basis for the creation of a brand-new sector of industry.
• Extending the horizon from millimeters to micrometers via the microscope had major impact on innovations in many branches. A similar experience can also be expected from the transition from the micrometer to the NANOMETER, but to an even greater extent. This new challenge makes high demands on the competence and availability of the necessary scientific, technological and industrial resources. In particular the agile and dynamic small and medium-sized companies are ideally placed to make use of the NANOMETER.
• The introduction of the NANOMETER and the understanding of the structures and processes occurring on these scales may give companies a real competitive advantage when it is integrated in existing products.
  In addition the NANOMETER and its use provides the basis for new products and services which not only result in the founding of new companies but also help to consolidate the position of existing branches of industry.
• Competitive success is determined by the "time" factor
  The rapid and goal-oriented realization of visions involving ideas for products to the finished product is crucial to success. The linkup of centers of competence (ETH domain, universities and research institutes) with the Universities of Applied Science and industrial research facilities oriented towards development and industry opens up new potential which should be exploited.
• Organizational structures
  Scientific discoveries and new technologies can be successfully translated into products and services if the necessary organizational structures are brought into line with the technological requirements. Here the overall approach in terms of human resources, technology and organization takes on special meaning. In particular we should not disregard the acceptance of the NANOMETER by industry and society.
• The legislation lays down stringent requirements as regards the environment, safety and the use of raw materials and energy. The issue of the assessment of technological impact will provide the basis for the timely creation of protective mechanisms and act to backup sustained development.
• Society is demanding job security. Increased productivity involves decreasing numbers of staff producing greater quantities. Mastering the usage of the NANOMETER offers potential for extending the scope of added valuation, thus making a positive contribution towards creating new jobs and improving job security.
  

The main objective of the Technology-Oriented Program NANO 21 is to strengthen the Swiss economy through the application of new technologies based on the NANOMETER. The TOP NANO 21 technology platform is created with this aim in mind.

This technology platform is made up of specialists from the fields of science and research. They form specific theme-based centers of competence. The aim is to use these networks to pass on their findings and knowledge about the NANOMETER to the Universities of Applied Science and the industrial sector.

The integration of the subject of the NANOMETER in teaching is designed to encourage the development of the next generation of scientists, researchers and engineers.

The positioning of the Technology-Oriented Programs in the pyramid - between key national research areas and CTI funded projects - offers wide scope for TOP NANO 21 projects. TOP NANO 21 is designed to bundle the strengths and resources of all interested specialists to be found in Switzerland towards economic usage through the creation of new technologies and the development of new products and services as well as the consolidation of existing products.

In addition to pure research into the extension of the scientific horizons particular attention will be focused on achieving results through the creation of new technologies and the development of solutions for economic problems.

The protection and exploitation of the intellectual property thus developed is a major objective for TOP NANO 21.

Knowledge about the NANOMETER and its usage is intended to form the basis for the creation of a new branch of industry in Switzerland.

With the help of a comprehensive approach involving

• Science
• Technology
• Marketing
• Organization

Industry should also encourage the scientists to undertake application-centered research by putting forward their current problems. Conversely the companies operating in the field of science should also be supplied with visions and ideas for new products and services.

TOP NANO 21 consists of two phases:

• preparation phase (1999)
• implementation phase (2000-2003)

During the one-year preparation phase the specialists should assemble themselves into interdisciplinary centers of competence for the relevant specialties. These centers will then form specialist networks with the Universities of Applied Science, industry and selected research laboratories.

The relevant issues are to be developed in the framework of strategy discussions held between the research specialists and selected industrial entrepreneurs. During these individual talks we will obtain a closer understanding of the opportunities and restrictions for the use of the NANOMETER and cooperation with the research facilities (incorporation of science).

Based on the experiences from the strategy discussions and impact-oriented scientific issues project outlines and projects will then be drawn up by the centers of competence and institutes.

At an information event specially geared towards industry these project outlines and projects will be presented by the TOP NANO 21 centers of competence and companies from industry invited to take part in these projects.

2. Implementation Phase

The implementation phase will commence with the start of the first approved projects in January 2000 and will end on 31 December 2003. Projects and project outlines can be submitted for examination at any time.

The TOP NANO 21 project backup and the strategic reviews are designed to ensure that the project objectives are attained and the stipulations for funds satisfied. Any problems should therefore be identified in good time and eliminated by means of supportive measures.

Information will be regularly available on the TOP NANO 21 www server, an E-mail News Ticker, and in the annual TOP NANO 21 information, in which up-to-date details of projects, research results, etc. will be published.

The TOP NANO 21 annual event publicizes the latest findings from the research sector, strategic information for industry and project results.

The projects will be evaluated at regular intervals by an international group of experts.

The competence platform for TOP NANO 21 is created by the specialists, centers of competence and networks for the relevant specialties between the ETH domain, the universities, the research institutes and the Universities of Applied Science.

TOP NANO 21 projects are impact and goal-oriented. Extension of the fundamental horizon is geared to the creation of new technologies and the economic benefit of such technologies.

By selecting projects and setting priorities TOP NANO 21 is intended to encourage cooperation in the field of the NANOMETER throughout Switzerland in order to develop good branch-specific know-how.

TOP NANO 21 also encourages international cooperation. This may be carried out on a bilateral basis and in the framework of EUREKA, the EC framework program, IMS (Intelligent Manufacturing Systems) and the research programs in the U.S.A. and Japan.

figure 1, platform

The NANOMETER is becoming increasingly important for the development of new technologies and the consolidation of existing technologies. This worldwide consensus is undisputed, even if no exact prognoses can be made at the present time.

The aim of TOP NANO 21 is to specifically support and encourage the creativity and personal initiative of researchers and companies. The following topics are suggestions and serve as guidelines in terms of content. The specific content should be generally based on the initiative and the suggestions of researchers and staff working in the centers of competence, the specialist networks and the companies.

1.1 Development of the NANOMETER Dimension

In recent years new microscopes such as the scanning probe microscopes from Switzerland, new materials such as the football-shaped carbon molecules or carbon nanotubes from the USA and Japan have opened up the world of the NANOMETER, i.e. the millionth part of a millimeter or the thousandth part of a micrometer.

If there is the possibility of observation and strategic change in these dimensions, the question arises regarding possible applications for these scientific findings. There are visions in abundance!

As we have already seen from conventional technologies, nanotechnology will develop from the nanosciences. Switzerland in particular is a front runner in the field of nanoscience and should therefore take on a pioneering role in the realization of technologies and industrial applications.

The following quote from the "National Research Program NFP36-Nanosciences" accurately conveys the significance of the NANOMETER for Switzerland.

"This development and the resulting perspectives are of special importance to Switzerland for a number of reasons. On the one hand the invention of scanning tunneling, scanning force and scanning optical near-field microscopy in Switzerland have already paved the way for this trend. On the other hand Switzerland, as a center of thought and work, depends on developing new scientific and technological skills and where possible making economic use of it. In the miniaturization of industrial products, in particular in the field of micromechanics, Switzerland offers a tradition, which dates back to the last century. On the other hand, it must be noted that Swiss industry initially dragged its heels in the trend towards miniaturization of electronics that emerged on the micrometer scale at the middle of this century. Switzerland should now seize the initiative again at the next stage of development. Most industrialized nations are aware of the new opportunities offered by the nanosciences and are making efforts to put them into practice. In this competitive field Switzerland must preserve and further consolidate its initial advantage."

1.2 The NANOMETER is Already of Interest to Industry

In industry the NANOMETER finds direct usage as a precision standard for measurement, positioning and processing to accuracy levels based on the NANOMETER. The computer industry has already set new standards as regards surface roughness and lubrication on the NANOMETER scale. Scanning force microscopes are used in metrology and analysis, particularly for quality control in the high-tech sector (electronic chips, magnetic data storage, and compact disks). Scanning probe microscopes themselves have resulted in a new industrial branch of equipment with an annual turnover of several hundred million dollars.

Nanoparticles are already used to a wide extent in the chemical industry, be it to strengthen polymer matrices, pigments for color effects, UV protective agents or colloids. Other applications are available, e.g. solar-selective materials for thermal collectors. Useful properties have been achieved with materials which are manufactured by compacting nanopowders: a good example of how properties on the NANOMETER scale prove to be of advantage in the macroworld.

Major potential for successful new products is offered by the direct improvement in the resolution of the optical scanning proximity-focus microscope to 10nm or other advances in the field of mechanical NMR detection.

1.3 The NANOMETER as the Goal of Further Miniaturization

Stanford University is relying on lithography with the scanning force microscope. But use of selective laser sintering (SLS) may also result in advances for lithography. Quantum structures or mesoscopic systems are also a possibility. One graphic example of producing smaller structures is the use of self-assembled monolayers as a new resist for photolithography. The conformal micro contact printing process developed provides structures down to 10 nm. Various fundamental technical and scientific considerations and not lastly, the incredibly high costs for each further stage of the miniaturization call for new concepts for the future. One alternative is the assembler scenario in which larger functional units, partly modeled on nature, are created from molecules and molecule systems through self-organization. But where are the limits to miniaturization? Can we create components consisting of just a few or even single atoms? There are proposals for an atom switch and an atom relay. In both approaches individual atoms are moved over interatomic distances in very short periods, so changing the current-voltage characteristic of the switch or the electrical contact of the nanowire.

1.4 Pure nanotechnology in Nature

For us nature exemplifies the possibility of interweaving and using a wide range of processes, procedures and sequences in a minimum of space. In future we must manage to solve problems on the scale of nature. This scale is the NANOMETER; everything takes place on this scale and is combined with macroproducts and macroprocesses in a special way. There are many problems where nature comes up with a much more elegant, efficient and successful solution than we can at the present day with our highly complicated instruments and powerful processors. We must therefore observe nature from this viewpoint and allow ourselves to be inspired by biological solutions to successfully reproduce such solutions. Nature serves as an example for the sensor, which is often also a processor, for the sensible use of materials, the restricted consumption of energy and adapted data processing. Nanotechnology is the method nature uses to solve her problems.

Besides its small scale another important aspect of the NANOMETER is sustainability.

1.5 Today's Key Technologies

Until we reach the final limits, we can continue to manufacture today's electronic chips with smaller structures in coming years. However, it is now time to investigate which new key technologies can give new significance to the extremely successful progress of microelectronics through synergies with the NANOMETER.

A number of chip technologies are already available in the fields of biology and medicine. One particularly promising perspective is offered by the integration of cells or neurons on electronic chips. Similar questions also arise in the case of micromechanics and microsystems technology. But the information technology sector is also under constant pressure to come up with greater levels of efficiency and miniaturization and is in need of new ideas. As for the transition from the electron tube to the transistor, we now await a move from solid-state circuits to new industrial elements resulting from the chemistry, biology or mechanics of the individual atoms. To construct processors from such elements we require interaction between NANOMETER specialists and experts in computer architecture.

Molecular biology and biotechnology are calling for new analysis and diagnostic equipment which represents a challenge to microelectronics, micro- or nanomechanics and the corresponding systems technology. If such equipment is to be integrated in wristwatches in the future, the NANOMETER will also obviously play an important role. To date miniaturization has always meant scaling-down. Today scaling-up or the assembly scenario is a possibility. Chemistry must provide us with the appropriate syntheses and processes.

1.6 Cooperation between Interdisciplinary Centers of Competence

It is typical of national or international research programs in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology that they place great reliance on inter- or transdisciplinary cooperation, i.e. in Switzerland between the ETH domain, the universities, the research institutes and the Universities of Applied Science.

There are many reasons for this. One factor is the complexity of the subject and the fact that on the nanometer scale the traditional disciplines of physics, chemistry and biology merge with each other and engineers are needed at universities and Universities of Applied Science for the development of new technologies and applications. Such cooperation must include interaction between the various participants who are responsible for preparation, synthesis, measurement, and development of technologies and finally ensure associated applications. This environment allows a new species of student and researcher to develop: someone who sees beyond the boundaries of the traditional disciplines and is also capable of thinking in unconventional ways.

But such centers of competence also offer benefits to industry. Even many large companies cannot afford to set up large-scale research groups for the NANOMETER and thus have to rely on close cooperation with specialists, as in the case of small and medium-sized companies.

Given the size of Switzerland networks consisting of such centers of competence are good solutions. Only then is the necessary interdisciplinary dimension catered for in many cases.

1.7 Suggestions for Possible Topics

Wide scope is to be given to TOP NANO 21 by means of suggestions from the researchers working in the centers of competence and networks. The three-dimensional structure consisting of fundamental research (findings), technologies and applications creates the framework for categorization of the suggested topics - always with reference to the NANOMETER.

Examples of suggested topics:

"Nano" tools	"Nano" electronics	"Nano" products
"Nano" methods	"Nano" mechanics	"Nano" sensors
"Nano" materials	"Nano" biology	"Nano" robotics
"Nano" optics	"Nano" chemistry	"Nano" aspects of fluids

These topics are backed up by work on numerical methods, simulations and theoretical principles and accompanied by assessment of the technological impact. To emphasize the systemic approach topics relating to systems technology and systems analysis should also be put forward.

There are special expectations for nanosensors, which in comparison with conventional elements offer new dimensions in terms of simplicity and sensitivity.

In particular two technological developments are found at the forefront:

• New synergies based on the NANOMETER between different key technologies, e.g. microelectronics and biotechnology, micromechanics and chemistry.
• Alternatives to today's well-established technologies, which are reaching their limits in scientific, economic and ecological terms. One interesting example is the work on a VLSI-NEMS chip for mechanical data storage.
  

TOP NANO 21 is designed to act as a catalyst for cooperation between the worlds of science and industry. Such cooperation should be used to publicize the results of scientific and technological development for the realization of significant product modifications and the creation of new products.

The transparent interaction between fundamental research (findings), technological development and applications forms an important part of TOP NANO 21, i.e.:

• Fundamental projects will show which technologies can be derived from this and developed further, and which applications are envisaged for the use of these methods and technologies.
• Technology projects show which applications may result from such development and for which applications benefit potential is envisaged.
• Specific applications, i.e. development projects show which technologies should be used and are required for this purpose.

1. Goals for Industry

TOP NANO 21 is intended to help industry enter the world of the NANOMETER and deal with it in a competent manner. This is designed to result in new substances, materials, processes, instruments, machines, equipment and services.

TOP NANO 21 is paving the way for the founding of new companies and supporting existing enterprises with the new technology; it will form the basis for the establishment of a new branch of industry.

Comprehensive assistance will be provided for researchers setting up new companies and preparations made for timely handover to the CTI Start-Up Initiative.

2. Goals for Switzerland as a Center of Research

The existing specialists are to be brought together to form research centers and networks of sufficient size, where required by the R&D objectives, and strengthened by means of strategic measures.

A systematic increase in the levels of scientific knowledge and its conversion into new technologies will form the basis for generalized economic utilization in Switzerland.

By channeling this back to the academic sector we will ensure the availability of the next generation of scientists for work in the NANOMETER field for the ETH domain, the universities, the research institutes and the Universities of Applied Science as well as industry.

1. Principles

The scope of the standard CTI funding will be extended in program-specific terms to ensure the attainment of the chosen objectives.

The management of a project is crucial to its success. Under the TOP NANO 21 program the project management is funded up to 100% if performed at a non profit-making research center, and up to 50% if industrial partners contribute.

The project plans for product-related projects are supplemented with a work package "Target Costing and Marketing".

Every TOP NANO 21 project must satisfy the three dimensions of fundamental principles (findings), technologies and applications and demonstrate the links between these three dimensions (figure 1, platform).

2. Funding Conditions

2.1 Technological Fundamental Projects

These projects aim to increase levels of knowledge and should focus on the creation of new technologies or the consolidation of existing technologies. These projects are funded up to 100%. Projects with short project duration receive preferential treatment.

Large-scale fundamental projects should have a clear-cut structure including milestones within a timescale of 6 - 9 months, in addition to clearly defined goals. The milestones are used for the performance of strategic project reviews, to evaluate the progress made and to steer the work in a different direction, if required.

2.2 Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies are used to clarify the feasibility of particularly innovative ideas and concepts involving major risk but great economic potential. If a high commercial benefit is envisaged, funds of up to 100% may be available. The length of the project is limited to 6 - 12 months. The maximum funding is approx. CHF 100'000.--

2.3 Alliance Projects for Development of Products and Services

Alliance projects are used to bring together various competencies in the research sector to attain objectives more quickly and reliably. The shared usage of project results by a number of companies considerably reduces the project costs incurred by each company and encourages cooperation between them.

Alliance projects receive preferential treatment and may be funded up to 60% of the project.

2.4 Individual Projects for Development of Products and Services

Projects between a company and a center of competence may be granted funds up to a maximum of 50% of the project volume.

2.5 Projects for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Transfer projects are used to pass on project results from the ETH domain, the universities and research institutes to the Universities of Applied Science and/or groups of companies. The funds available for transfer projects may amount to 100% whereby the companies generally pay for the part of the transfer costs for the competence center specifically relating to themselves.

2.6 Preparations for the Founding of New Companies

These projects may be defined in cooperation with the Management Team "TOP NANO 21" with reference to the individual situation. Coaching and funding are provided according to the rules of the CTI-Start-Up facility, which also provides the finance.

2.7 Strategic Projects

The strategic projects (TOP DOWN) can be initiated by the Steering Committee, the Management Team or the Innovation Committee, in accordance with the International Expert Group. The funding is up to 100%.

The Steering Committee defines from case to case the evaluation criteria of the projects and must approve them.

Strategic projects cover research fields which are new for Switzerland and are of high importance for achieving the TOP NANO 21 goals.

2.8 Special Projects

The strategic orientation of TOP NANO 21 by the ETH Board and the strict application of this orientation in project evaluation eliminates certain projects which are outside the given fields of research.

Projects of high importance are e.g. for the education (Ph.D. students) or the strengthening of the Excellence of the ETH and Universities. Such projects can be approved by the Steering Committee.

3. Supporting Measures

The strategic orientation of TOP NANO 21 by the ETH Board and the strict application of this orientation in project evaluation eliminates certain projects which are outside the given fields of research.

Projects of high importance are e.g. for the education (Ph.D. students) or the strengthening of the Excellence of the ETH and Universities. Such projects can be approved by the Steering Committee.

4. Financing of Ph.D. Students

To finance Ph.D. students in short TOP NANO 21 projects it is possible to receive additional funds to finance the completion of the doctorate.

This additional funding needs the approval by the Management Team during a project review. The overall duration of the project and the completion of the doctorate should not exceed 36 months.

The additional financing needs to be included in the project proposal.

5. Projects with Foreign Company Partners

Leading foreign companies with the necessary qualification are accepted as industry partners.

Such partners must be approved by the steering committee. A considerable cost contribution from such partners to the research institute is required.

The function of the TOP NANO 21 Innovation Committee is to develop visions and stimulate innovation (top-down approach). It is made up of personalities from the worlds of science and industry characterized by their visionary approach; it is their job to come up with new perspectives and visions for research as well as the development of both technologies and applications.

The feasibility studies carried out by the Innovation Committee are designed to confirm the feasibility of these visions and ideas.

The main applicant is the contractual partner of the CTI and is directly responsible to the latter for the project. This applicant must plausibly demonstrate sufficient competence for execution of the project as well as a strong scientific and/or economic interest in successful conclusion of the project and implementation of the project results in accordance with the objectives of TOP NANO 21.

Applicants are found among researchers or personalities from the ETH domain, the universities, the research institutes, the Universities of Applied Science, the non profit-making research centers or companies.

Applications should be submitted using the CTI's application form. The shortened version of the form can be used for project outlines.

Both forms are available from our website or through the secretariat of the management team: "TOP NANO 21", Effingerstrasse 27, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; they should also be returned to this address.

In the case of project outlines the applicants should justify why the NANOMETER is important to their research project and in what centers. In addition each project must satisfy the three dimensions of fundamental research (findings), technologies and applications (figure 1, platform). In addition possible industrial partners should be identified.

A decision is generally reached about feasibility studies within 6 weeks, and within 3 months for other projects. Decisions may take up to 6 months in the case of fundamental projects involving complex issues.

• Compliance with goals of TOP NANO 21
• For technology-oriented fundamental projects: scientific quality, relevance for the development of new technologies, potential for economic usage (applications)
• Alliance and individual projects: technical/scientific quality, economic relevance, reference to the technology-oriented fundamental principles and their use
• Originality and innovation potential of project
• Competence of project manager, research and development group
• Research / project plan (definition of work packages, milestones and deliverables)
• Staff and infrastructure requirements for execution of project
• Project-related preliminary work already carried out
• Execution risk based on project plan, available resources, milestones and schedule
• Relevance for creation of a new industrial "NANOMETER" sector in Switzerland
• Arrangements regarding rights to intellectual property for project results between partners

The management team "TOP NANO 21" uses project backup and reviews to ensure that the project goals are attained, the funds used according to the project plan, and the stipulations fulfilled. As a result problems should be identified in good time and jointly eliminated by means of supportive measures. The management team provides support to the project partners and encourages cooperation between the specialists, centers of competence, the specialist networks and the companies.

TOP NANO 21 does not plan to create new structures. The aim is to link up the relevant specialists via centers of competence and networks.

In addition the following conditions will be laid down in the TOP NANO 21 project agreements:

• obligation regarding the exchange of information with the management team "TOP NANO 21"
• obligation regarding the performance of project reviews with the management team "TOP NANO 21" or outside experts
• obligation regarding presentation of the project results at the TOP NANO 21 information event (held once a year)
• authorization regarding publication of project results on the TOP NANO 21 www-server, in the TOP NANO 21 information and in journals
  

Two aspects are particularly important for TOP-NANO 21 projects. This should be taken into account for both stages of the project description.

1.	The orientation of the project in terms of goals and effect, i.e. clear objectives and effect desired by the project. The fundamental projects focus on the creation of new technologies and their economic usage, technology projects on applications and the applications projects on marketable products and/or services.
2.	Each project must provide for the three-dimensional structure (figure 1, platform) consisting of fundamental research (findings), technologies and applications. This structure creates the framework for categorization of the suggested topics - always with reference to the NANOMETER. The effect or relationship to the three dimensions must be demonstrated.

The submission procedure consists of two stages:

Stage 1:
Project outlines (for fundamental and extensive projects, or in case of uncertainty regarding compliance with funding conditions)

Stage 2:
Comprehensive, complete project applications

For both stages the forms are available from the TOP NANO 21 website.

1. Project Preparation

Special attention should be paid to formulation of the project goals and project planning. The following table shows the information which we recommend is included for the different types of project.

The following table shows the required (red) and recommended (dark gray) details for the various types of projects.

2. Extent and Duration of the TOP NANO 21 Projects

The following table contains standard values. Situation specific deviations are possible.

Type of Project	Volume in CHF	Duration	Quantity of milestones (recommend)	Percentage of funding	Duration of the Evaluation (formal 2 weeks)
Feasibility studies	< 100 000	< 6-12 months	1	up to 100 %	6 weeks
Technological fundamental projects	N. A.	< 36 months	2-4	100 %	3 months (large < 6 months)
Alliance projects for development of product and services	< 1 000 000	< 24 months	2-3	up to 60 %	3 months
Individual projects for development of product and services	< 500 000	< 24 months	2-3	up to 50 %	3 months
Knowledge and technology transfer projects	< 75 000	< 6 months	1	up to 100 %	6 weeks
Coaching Start-up Companies	CTI Start-up

(Status January 2001)

Development funds are mainly utilized to finance wages and salaries.
The up-to-date figures are published on our TOP NANO 21 Website.

3. Validity of the Program Information

Supplements and corrections, in accordance with decisions of the TOP NANO 21 steering committee, will be added on the Website. This complies with the currently valid version.