KM3NeT: Toward a cubic kilometre volume neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea

High energy neutrino astronomy is emerging as one of the most exciting options for studying astrophysical processes. To establish neutrino detectability from specific sources, neutrino telescopes of km 3 scale are needed. In order to complement the IceCube detector currently under construction in the South Pole, a corresponding Northern Hemisphere detector is needed. The three neutrino telescope projects in the Mediterranean, ANTARES, NEMO and NESTOR have joined forces in order to develop, prepare, construct and operate such a research facility, KM3NeT. To this end, the EU is funding a 3-year design study. In the present paper, the status of the design study is presented and options for the various technical problems are discussed.