NNCI is a network of open nanotechnology laboratory user facilities, supported by the National Science Foundation. It is the successor to NNIN. Each NNCI site offers user access to a particular set of nanotechnology resources.

Awarded as a result of competition under NSF 15-519 ,the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) forms the next generation of shared nanotechnology infrastructure, building upon the success of the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) from 2004-2015. (NNIN operation ended Sept. 1, 2015). NNCI consists of 16 awards to primary sites, with a total of 22 laboratory and education partners.

NNCI facilities will operate as open shared laboratories enabling access to advanced nanotechnology equipment and expertise across the entire range of nanotechnology applications.                  .

Some NNCI sites are continuations of sites funded under NNIN. Others are new to the shared national network. During the 4th quarter of 2015, all sites will be ramping up to serve users under NNCI.

In March, 2016, Georgia Tech was awarded the coordinating site for NNCI, and will work with the NNCI sites to broaden the research impact of NNCI through inter-site cooperation. Similarly, the national nanotechnology education program offerings of NNCI will be developed, building upon the resources and programs established by NNIN.

K-12 Educational Material

See the NNCI Educational Resources on nanoHUB for selected lesson plans appropriate for K-12 Teachers.  The full set of resources is available at NNCI.

Education & Training

NNIN’s education programs address the explosive growth of nanotechnology and its growing need for a skilled workforce and informed public by offering education and training to individuals (school-aged students to adults). We provide resources, programs, and materials to enhance an individual’s knowledge of nanoscale science and engineering and its application to real-world issues. We believe that a strong US economy requires a STEM-literate workforce ready to meet the technological challenges of a nano-enabled economy as well as an informed citizenry that supports continued and safe growth of nanotechnologies.

NNIN has a two-pronged approach for education and training – programs of national scope and programs addressing local needs of individual sites. Together, NNIN's education activities comprise one of the largest nanotechnology education programs in the world, reaching 25,000 individuals, in person, through over 200 events each year as well as many more through our Nanooze magazine and on line offerings..

In addition to the outreach component of NNIN's Education Program, NNIN has a large effort in equipment and training that spans from the Research component of NNIN. Over 2000 users are trained in NNIN each year, through more than 10,000 individual or group training events. Some of the training is available by video as a refresher.

NNCI is supported by 16 individual cooperative agreements from NSF.