SciDev.Net

The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology researches the political, economic, humanitarian and military issues involved in the development of nanotechnology, and disseminates information relating to these issues. The centre runs an online network of people involved and interested in the issues. The site is available in Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, in addition to English.

The ETC Group (Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Cooperation) is a research and advocacy group, based in Canada, that promotes the socially responsible development of technologies. The ETC Group has issued several reports on the responsible use of nanotechnology and has called for a UN moratorium on applications of nanotechnology that come into contact with the human body.

The Foresight Institute is a non-profit educational institute that focuses on anticipated advances in nanotechnology. It was founded by Eric Drexler, inventor of the term 'nanotechnology' and father of the vision of building materials by precisely assembling atoms.

The Wuppertal Institute is a German policy research institute for sustainable development, with a special focus on decoupling wealth from natural resources. The institute is running a project entitled "Will nanotechnology contribute to sustainable development?".