The three key research domains in INSPIRE are: Nanoelectronics, Nanophotonics and Bionanoscience. In each domain there is clear evidence of existing research excellence, collaboration across institutions, international research leadership and value-added relationships with industry. In addition, these domains and the connections between them have been identified strategically and are structured to allow Nanoscience nationally to play an increasing role in other National programs e.g. the Biomedical Sciences Network and Biopharma.

Underpinning these key domains is fundamental cross-cutting research in Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterisation. This cross-cutting capability is a vital enabler for all three key domains as well as potential emerging collaborations in other areas of the EU FP7¹.  The linkages between the three domains and the cross-cutting research in nanomaterials are illustrated below together with the primary partners working in each domain. The existing strong collaborations within each research domain are the foundations on which future programmatic styled collaborative research programmes will be developed.
 

 Schematic overview of research domains enabled by INSPIRE:

 Snapshot of current and future collaborations in the INSPIRE consortium:

¹ Examples: NMP-2007-2.1-1 Nanostructured Polymer-Matrix Composites; NMP-2007-2.1-2 Nanostructured Coatings and Thin Films, NMP-2007-2.2-1 Organic Materials for Electronics and Photonics, NMP-2007-2.2-2 Nanostructured Materials with Tailored Magnetic Properties.