NESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias is a private, non-profit Research and Development Institute created in January, 2002 from the former Solid State Technology group of INESC which existed since 1992. Since January 2008, INESC MN belongs to the Associated Laboratory - Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN) - to work in the emerging fields of Nanotechnology, BioNanotechnology and Nanosciences.

INESC MN is dedicated to leading edge research and development in strategic technological areas of micro- and nanotechnologies and the application of these technologies to electronic, biological and biomedical devices. INESC-MN research work shares the laboratories and class 100/10 clean room facilities used for student training. An important part of INESC MN’s mission is to provide advanced training at Master, PhD and post-doctoral levels, acting as a bridge between the Technical Engineering School (IST, Universidade de Lisboa) and industrial partners worldwide. INESC-MN also offers transfer of technology to both Portuguese and international industries through collaborative research, contract research, prototyping and consulting.