The National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology and Application (hereinafter referred to as the "Center") is the only national engineering research center engaged in nanotechnology and application research in China, which is specially set up by the Chinese government in the layout of national nanotechnology and industry development. The Center was officially established in October 2003 with the approval of the National Development and Reform Commission (FGGJ [2003] 1385 document).

The center is supported by Shanghai Jiaotong University, Fudan University, East China Normal University, Shanghai Institute of Microsystems and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Silicate, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai Zizhu Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Shanghai Baowu Group Co., Ltd Shanghai Nanotechnology and Application National Engineering Research Center Co., Ltd., which is jointly funded by Shanghai Science and Technology Investment Corporation, Shanghai Nanotechnology and Industry Development Promotion Center and other ten sponsors, is under management.