One of the key contractual deliverables of the KMM-NoE project is the KMM Virtual Institute (KMM-VIN). The KMM-VIN is a non-profit research association legally registered in Belgium as an AISBL (“association internationale sans but lucratif”).

The mission of KMM-VIN is: to promote European research and development in the area of knowledge-based multifunctional materials (KMM), to become an interface at the European level between the community of KMM-VIN partners and all other parties having interest in KMM, and to promote the mutual acceptance of KMM by, inter alia, building of confidence, development of quality assurance and traceability, and the implementation of the relevant standards.

The KMM Virtual Institute will in the initial stage support the project KMM-NoE in the management and exploitation of direct and indirect project results (products and services) having commercial potential and/or applications, as well as the management of joint research leading to these results. After the KMM-NoE project has been finished the KMM-VIN shall continue the research/consultancy and training/education activities on its own as a new legal organization.

The strategy for KMM-VIN is to solicit contract R&D, testing, analysis, consultancy, and other activities for the KMM-VIN members and no other organization. The KMM-VIN funding will be solicited from government and the private sector. Industry and the European Commission will still go directly to KMM-VIN partners, if they prefer.

Its main income streams shall be:
• PPP (public private partnership) projects and related services (e.g. managing project proposals) such as:
   o EU FP7 projects
   o European industry (consultancy services)
   o national research councils
• Fees
   o association membership fees
   o post-graduate school fees
• Events (e.g. conferences, workshops)
• Internet access to KMM databases
• Publications (e.g. book sales, proceedings)

The KMM-VIN will provide: (i) a complete offering of technical services via consortia membership of the KMM-VIN, (ii) R&D priorities and technology demands using the General Assembly of all KMM-VIN members, (iii) research offerings to respond to Calls for Proposals such as FP7 using the combined input of its members (e.g. as "sole participant").

The KMM-VIN offering to industry and public sector funding bodies is a one-stop-shop for any of the technology they may require to meet an RTD need in the KMM area. By coming to KMM-VIN Office (or one of its Competence Centres) the clients have only one place to go to find a multitude of technology, equipment, know-how, etc. throughout Europe.

The KMM-VIN is legally registered under the Belgian Law in Brussels. The Royal Decree of April 25, 2007, granted legal personality to KMM-VIN. More information on KMM-VIN can be obtained via email to office@kmm-vin.eu