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While social studies of nanotechnology have begun to analyze various aspects of nanotechnology research, official discourses have introduced the theme of the engagement of the public in nanotechnology research. Based on a fieldwork done in Grenoble, a French city with strong nanotechnology research, this paper provides an empirical account of anti-nanotechnology movements and explores how the use and critique of public engagement mechanisms construct different meanings of nanotechnology and citizenship.After having described the attempts made to engage the public in nanotechnology in Grenoble and their critique, this paper analyzes three framings of nanotechnology and citizenship that lead to different modes of relationships between science and the public. Whereas scientists and officials frame nanotechnology as a set of products with possibly impacts that an enlightened citizen would be able to grasp, activists see it as a part of a global program of control mixing science with political and economic interests - and they want every citizen to fight for a pure public good. Social scientists propose an alternative framing of nanotechnology and suggest other ways for the citizen to be involved in the decision-making process. The little recognition the latter gets from officials and activists shows that social science intervention in nanotechnology is problematic. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]