Global Issues in Nanotechnology (GIN)

GIN is the Global Issues in Nanotechnology Working Group of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee, the interagency body responsible for coordinating the NNI, the Federal program that oversees nanotechnology R&D.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of the GIN Working Group is to facilitate, coordinate, and provide input to United States Government international activities related to nanotechnology in support of the NSET Subcommittee and the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI).

The scope of the GIN Working Group includes monitoring foreign nanotechnology programs and development; broadening international cooperation and communications regarding nanotechnology research and development (R&D) including activities related to safeguarding environmental and human health; and promoting the United States’ commercial and trade interests in nanotechnology in the global marketplace. The GIN WG will seek to identify areas for international cooperation and anticipate and address areas of potential international concern in order to facilitate the responsible and beneficial development of nanotechnology.

The GIN Working Group will:
1. Support international efforts of the NSET Subcommittee and its other subgroups
as appropriate;
2. Advise USG efforts at the international level that relate to or are impacted by
nanotechnology developments;
3. Identify and promote means of assembling and tracking information on foreign
nanotechnology research and other activities, and on nanotechnology-enabled
products in the marketplace and in development;
4. Identify and exchange information about opportunities for international
collaboration and cooperation in nanotechnology R&D;
5. Exchange information about international fora, organizations, and events related
to nanotechnology, and coordinate NSET participation in these activities, as
appropriate;
6. Consider the international societal and economic dimensions of nanotechnology
and their effects and identify and promote opportunities for international
collaboration to address these dimensions of nanotechnology development; and
7. Work to ensure a balance of U.S. scientific, commercial, diplomatic, and
security interests in international nanotechnology engagement

Membership

The following departments, agencies, and offices shall have a representative on, and if
desired, may name alternates to, the Working Group:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce, including:
  o Bureau of Industry and Security
  o National Institute of Standards and Technology
  o Technology Administration
• Department of Defense
• Department of Energy
• Department of State
• Department of Health and Human Services, including:
  o Food and Drug Administration
  o National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  o National Institutes of Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Intelligence Community
• International Trade Commission
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Science Foundation
• National Nanotechnology Coordination Office
• Office of Management and Budget
• Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Office of the United States Trade Representative

Find out more about the NNI's participating Federal agency partners.