PROGRAM SOLICITATION NSF 03-519
NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK (NNIN)

Dear Colleague:

I am pleased to tell you that the National Science Foundation has announced an open competition (NSF 03-519) to establish a National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN).

The NNIN, supported by all NSF Directorates, is intended as an integrated national network of user facilities that will support the future infrastructure needs for research and education in the burgeoning nanoscale science and engineering field. It will provide users across the nation and in diverse disciplines access to leading-edge nano and micro fabrication and characterization tools, instruments, and expertise to enable experimentation and technological innovation. Academic institutions with strong programs in nanoscale science and engineering and with appropriate facilities will be eligible to participate in this competition.

NSF will host an Informational Meeting about the NNIN on January 30-31, 2003 at the Arlington Hyatt Hotel in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its purpose will be to describe the intent of the NNIN program and to bring together individuals who may be interested in proposing to the competition. Those attending this meeting will have the opportunity to present a poster describing their institution's facilities capabilities. The meeting will also be web-cast for those unable to attend.

Sincerely,