Advanced materials (also referred to as 'novel materials', 'value-added materials' or 'materials innovation') are regularly listed as a critical emerging technology, encompassing highly diverse applications across multiple sectors – from healthcare to defence to chemical manufacturing.

Recognising the current role and future potential of advanced materials to pursue strategic goals, governments are increasingly investing in policy tools to support their development and implementation, most notably via dedicated national strategies. While different policy drivers will shape these efforts depending on the national context, this report identifies a number of common themes.

Insights from this report aim to support policymakers and technology assessment practitioners seeking to develop or update national strategies for emerging technologies like advanced materials to accelerate innovation and further develop national ecosystems. The report delves into how these approaches are being mobilised, using advanced materials as a policy-relevant case.

The report presents a series of case studies from across the globe to illustrate practical applications in this field of anticipatory coordination efforts, upstream governance and 'by-design approaches, and strategic intelligence tools.