"The CIC nanoGUNE Consolider is a newly established Center created with the mission of addressing basic and applied world-class research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, fostering high-standard training and education of researchers in this field, and promoting the cooperation among the different agents in the Basque Science, Technology, and Innovation Network (Universities and Technological Centers) and between these agents and the industrial sector.

The Center focuses its research activities on the following four major strategic areas:

• Basic research of nanostructures and low-dimensional structures.

• Synthesis, assembling, and nanofabrication of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanotubes, thin films, nanocomposites) and nanostructured materials. It includes projects such as NANOTRON and NANOMAT.

• Development of nanodevices and its impact on molecular electronics, spintronics, nanomagnetism, and nanophotonics.

• Biofunctional nanoparticles and nanobiotechnology.

nanoGUNE will develop the Cooperative Research Center (CIC) concept which has been successfully implemented in various cases at the Basque Country. CICs are promoted by the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Basque Government and are designed with the aim of creating an effective framework of collaboration that strengthens interdisciplinary basic and applied world-class research in order to provide technology transfer and promote competitiveness of the Basque industry in strategic areas. Besides, nanoGUNE has been awarded as the first Consolider Center by the Spanish Education and Science Council. Consolider Centers are created under the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Program which funds the highest ranked Spanish research consortiums with world-class research lines at the forefront of Science and Technology Development."