The Large-scale Programmes Functional Genomics (FUGE) and Nanotechnology and New Materials (NANOMAT) by the Research Council of Norway have recently completed external testing of the two programmes.
According to Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, division director at the Research Council, both nanotechnology and materials were in their nascent stages when the programmes had been introduced in 2002. The external testing was carried out by the Danish consulting company DAMVAD along with the global consulting company Econ Pöyry partnering with experts from the related technology areas and funding equipment analysis.
New initiatives will need to further strengthen ties between the research community and industry.
The test reports show that both programmes have attained their strategic goal of developing research capabilities. The report also reiterates that the programmes took into consideration and adhered to prioritizing policy changes introduced during the course of the programmes. Although in the initial stages, research was limited to basics, over time, the focus shifted to relevance and benefits to both industry and society. The reports say that while the NANOMAT has targeted the existing industry, the FUGE has impacted development of new businesses. The impact of the first programme has been restricted, and new initiatives will need to build stronger bridges between research work and the community. The programmes however, have developed funding sources, follow-up, and propagation and discussion activities.
FUGE has developed nine technology platforms and multiple zonal nodes. This approach has helped gain more insights and knowledge of the technology, which has already been published. The NANOMAT shows that tasks at the national level were well coordinated and distributed, leading to more competence. This has given a fillip to the country’s efforts in the global area, while the national projects have also proved successful.
The reports recommend that future endeavors in the two areas will need to maintain the momentum. Research work will need to communicate better with development of new products and technologies. The programmes have addressed ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) and health, safety and environment (HSE) issues.
Source: http://www.forskningsradet.no/