In 2005, the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) was founded as a joint initiative between the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the National Research Council (NRC), as a unique institutional model.

NINT is the hybrid institution that at one end of the research bench translates this knowledge into technology demonstration at the service of industrial receptors. A dedicated facility was opened in 2006.

NINT houses 325 research and 30 administrative staff who conduct R&D with an annual investment of $24 million provided from federal, provincial and private sector sources.