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Nanoscience and nanotechnology are broad domains of research and innovation that represent a major fi eld of activity at global level. This originates from the outstanding demonstrations obtained in the last two decades of the possibility to control the organization of matter at the scale of few atoms and molecules, to address their properties and to obtain functional systems with potential exploitation in the fields of health, environment, energy and communication. Research in nanoscience requires direct sensitivity to the atomic scale and to the fundamental time scale of the processes ruling the assembly of matter and the interactions with light, electric current, and molecules at all levels of complexity, from the gases of the atmosphere to proteins and DNA. Nanoscience therefore necessitates special research infrastructures like “atomically clean environments” for the synthesis and the assembling of nanosystems on the one hand, and advanced radiation sources for the direct analysis of their properties (Large Scale Facilities for fine analysis of matter, LSFs) and for controlling the functionalities at the relevant space and time scale of the fundamental processes on the other hand. Both these infrastructures, which require substantial investment in terms of human and financial resources, are most often not co-located and not operated in close synergy. While the European offer of LSFs is adequate, the availability of open access nanoscience centres is overall undersized, and the link to LSF is weak. This is a severe limitation for the optimal development of nanoscience and the ensuing nanotechnologies, as well as a limiting factor for a scientifi c return from the LSFs. State of the art synthesis and characterization laboratories lack the direct use of numerical modelling, fine analysis, in-situ and in-operando experiments. Advanced beamlines on synchrotron radiation sources, free electron lasers and neutron sources generally lack adequate synthesis and sample preparation and delivery tools, or atomic resolution microscopy. Numerical simulations are most often performed on model systems and are not on-line with synthesis and experimental work. The Nanoscience Foundries & Fine Analysis project (NFFA) addresses the integration of all these competences and methods by setting up a European Distributed Research Infrastructure that will co-locate 3-6 Nanoscience Centres with LSFs and thus shall offer a unique environment for advanced research by providing open access to European and international scientists. NFFA intends to play a key role in the construction of the European Research Area by creating a unique environment for the support of leading research by users from academy and institutes, by offering advanced training to young researchers and engineers and by providing an effective support to innovation projects by diverse stakeholders. This booklet summarizes the outcomes of the NFFA Design Study and outlines the strategic needs and roadmap for the implementation of the NFFA Research Infrastructure., Published on spring 2011