We intend to study the feasibility of an European cluster of nanoscience facilities, which will consist of 3-6 Centres closely attached to a number of selected Large Scale Facilities located within Europe (synchrotron radiation sources, neutron scattering sources, high power lasers including free electron lasers and high performance computing, etc). This cluster of nanoscience facilities will enable users to conduct fine analysis experiments and modelling at the nanoscale by offering access to state-of-the-art synthesis, nanofabrication and analysis to a wide research community. Hence, by providing innovative cutting edge preparation and characterization technologies to European scientists, this delocalized institution will raise the standards of nanoscience experiments in the European Research Area and allow full exploitation of the affiliated Large Scale Facilities. The NFFA design study will develop the Emerging Proposals, named NANOSCIENCE, in synergy with the ESFRI roadmap 2006. NFFA is a structuring project for the ERA that requires to be started with support by the EC under FP7, in order to reach the maturity to be validated as a potential RI by ESFRI. The NFFA Centres for users will share a common technical platform for advanced nanofabrication and characterization of nanostructures, complemented by specialised methods for synthesis of materials, specific analysis, computational methods of simulation, according to a coordinated science plan. The NFFA design study will analyse the full spectrum of Research infrastructures relevant for nanoscience that are currently in operation OR in the preparatory phase of FP7.