The Nanotechnology Industries Association has received the first go-ahead on its proposed interdisciplinary research project entitled ‘PROSPEcT: Ecotoxicology Test Protocols for Representative Nanomaterials in Support of the OECD Sponsorship Programme’ ; the project represents a 50:50 public-private-partnership with the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to support the OECD Sponsorship Programme on Manufactured Nanomaterials.

The proposed PROSPEcT Project makes £3.7 Million (in 50:50 industry:government contributions) available for in-depth characterisation, ecotoxicology testing, environmental fate tracking, and detection prototyping of nano-ZnO and nano-CeO₂.

On the 3rd July 2008, the UK Government’s DEFRA LINK Programme Advisory Committee recommended the PROSPEcT for funding; the project is proposed to commence on the 1st October 2008. The PROSPEcT Project represents one of the largest single contributions to the OECD WPMN Sponsorship Programme.

Follow this link to find out more about the OECD WPMN Sponsorship Programme. Details of the PROSPEcT Project will be published soon.