The overall aim of the NaS-ERA project is to integrate the Unité de Développement de la Technologie du Silicium (UDTS) into the European Research Area (ERA), by developing cooperation with European research and innovation organisations in its 3 strongest research topics: i) Production of functional nanostructures, ii) Development of new detection methods, and iii) Design and development of new sensors.UDTS is a major R&D entity under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Algeria with a high potential for integration into ERA. Since its establishment in 1988, UDTS’ main mission was to conduct scientific research activities and technological innovation in silicon material and semiconductor science and technology: photovoltaic, functional nanostructures, measurement and detection systems, optoelectronics, photonics, etc. In 2010, UDTS has evolved into a National Research Centre and is planned to set up, with the support of local universities and research entities, a technology Cluster in material science with a sufficient research capabilities to reach International norms and standards.The NaS-ERA project will build upon UDTS’s existing strengths as a high-quality research institution via capacity building activities with the following 4 excellent European research and innovation organisations: 1) CNRS – Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, 2) National Institute of Metrological Research, 3) Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials, and 4) Intelligentsia Consultants.The capacity building activities will involve twinning and training development for UDTS researchers focused on the Production of functional nanostructures, the Development of new detection methods, the Design and development of new sensors, and the FP7 programme. Also, it will involve dissemination and strategy development to support the UDTS organisation.