NSET's Participating Federal Partners


The NNI consists of the individual and cooperative nanotechnology-related activities of 20 Federal agencies with a range of research and regulatory roles and responsibilities. These Federal departments and independent agencies participate under the auspices of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council. Below are summaries of the participating agencies and their NNI-related work. To find out more about the organizational structure of the NNI, see Coordination of the NNI

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.

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Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS)

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table.

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Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce (BIS/DOC)

The BIS shares information about national security needs and challenges, and can exercise its statutory data collection authority to support the NNI.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

As more consumer products employ nanotechnology, CPSC has examined the potential health effects of nano-enabled consumer products.

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Department of Defense (DOD)

DOD considers nanotechnology to have potential to contribute to the warfighting capabilities of the nation.

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Department of Education (DOEd)

The Department of Education (DOEd) is involved in various educational aspects of the NNI.

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Department of Energy (DOE)

DOE views nanoscience and nanotechnology as having a vitally important role to play in solving the nation’s energy and climate change challenges.

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

DHS is interested in the ways that nanoscience can improve homeland security.

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Department of Justice/ National Institute of Justice (DOJ/NIJ)

The NIJ awards projects on a competitive basis to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at state and local levels.

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Department of State (DOS)

The State Department participates in the NNI to support foreign policy objectives, protect national security, and advance economic interests.

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Department of Transportation (DOT, incl. Federal Highway Administration, FHWA)

The FHWA sees promise in nanotechnology to help solve long-term highway and transportation research needs in support of DOT’s strategic goals.

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Department of Treasury (DOTreas)

The DOTreas seeks to promote economic growth and stability, and to ensure the safety, soundness, and security of U.S. financial systems.

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Department on Labor/ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL/OSHA)

OSHA plays an integral role in nanotechnology by protecting the nation’s workforce.

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Economic Development Administration (EDA/DOC)

The EDA's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States.

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts to protect human health and the environment.

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

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National Cancer Institute

Nanotechnology allows researchers to study cancer in its earliest stages of progression, enabling early detection and development of novel therapies.

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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

The mission of the NIOSH is to generate new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice for the betterment of workers.

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National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-Dept. of Commerce)

NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

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National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH's mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

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National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation supports nanoscale science and engineering in all disciplines through its research and education activities as a means to promote discovery and innovation and integrate various fields of research.

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

The mission of the NRC is to license and regulate the nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA/FS)

Established in 1905, the Forest Service manages 193 million acres of publically-owned National Forests and grasslands.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA)

NIFA's mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.

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U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

USGS provides objective scientific information to: describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect Americans’ quality of life.

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U.S. Intelligence Community

The United States Intelligence Community (IC) is a cooperative federation of 16 separate government agencies that work, separately and together, to conduct intelligence activities considered necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of national security.

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U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO)

The USPTO is responsible for granting patents, registering trademarks, and providing intellectual property policy advice and guidance.

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United States International Trade Commission (USITC)

USITC is an independent, quasi judicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade.

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