Introduction - Nanotechnology and Human Health - page 5

1.2.4 BRICS
Several emerging economies are also targeting nanotechnology in their
national science, technology, and innovation strategy. The BRICS* coun-
tries are often depicted as an upcoming new economic block. In Brazil, the
first national nanotechnology networks have been funded since 2001 in the
form of four millennium institutes cofunded by the World Bank. Since 2005,
the federal government has coordinated investment in nanotechnology in
national plans. Currently, the focus is on nano-innovation.
Furthermore, Brazil and Argentina have been collaborating in the Bina-
tional Argentinean-Brazilian Nanotechnology Center (CABNN) since 2005.
The Russian government established RUSNANO in 2007, focusing on the
commercialization of nanotechnology. The total budget until 2012 is 130 bil-
lion roubles (US$4.64 billion). The funding is dedicated to three priorities,
including
• Nanoproduct fabrication
• Scientific forecasting and roadmaps, standardization, certification,
and safety
• Education and popularization
Most of the funding is reserved for the first priority. †
The Indian government's Department of Science and Technology installed
the Nanoscience and Technology Mission in 2001. In the period between 2006
and 2011, Rs1000 crore (€177 million) has been allocated to nanoresearch.
Funding is available for basic research promotion, infrastructure devel-
opment for nanoscience and technology research, nano applications and
technology development program, human resources development, and inter-
national cooperation. ‡ Nanotechnology has been part of the tenth (2001-2005)
and eleventh (2006-2010) 5-year plans for science and technology. Funding
for nanotechnology was RMB 840 million between 2001 and 2005 (US$100
million) and was expected to be double that amount between 2006 and 2010. §
The South African government launched their nanoscience and nanotech-
nology strategy in 2005 and decided to invest US$74 million. In 2007, they
allocated additional investment of €34.8 million for the following 3 years. ¶
In recent years, nanoscientists in increasing numbers of developing coun-
tries have initiated networks, research projects, or education programs in
* Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
† Source: ObservatoryNANO public funding analysis report 2009, http://www.observatorynano.
eu/project/ilesystem/iles/Economics_PublicFundingAnalysis_inal.pdf.
‡ http://nanomission.gov.in cited in ICPC-NanoNet Report 2009 on Nanotechnology in Asia
(West), http://www.icpc-nanonet.org/content/view/93/46/.
§ http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5731/61 cited in ICPC-NanoNet Report
2009 on Nanotechnology in Asia (East), http://www.icpc-nanonet.org/content/view/93/46/.
¶ Cited in ICPC-NanoNet Report 2009 on Nanotechnology in Africa, http://www.icpc-nanonet.
org/content/view/93/46/.