The Biden-Harris administration expects to invest over $5 billion to launch a national semiconductor research consortium to bolster U.S. research and development (R&D) of computer chips.
On February 9, the White House convened senior administration leadership, industry, academia, think tanks, state and local government, and labor to formally establish the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) – the second major R&D investment from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act following a $3 billion advanced packaging initiative.
The NSTC, a public-private consortium, brings together government, industry, customers, suppliers, and academic partners to accelerate semiconductor R&D and address needs for a skilled workforce.
The NSTC is one of four CHIPS for America’s R&D programs, with the others being a National Advanced Packing Manufacturing Program, a CHIPS Metrology Program, and a CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute. In total, the four programs are expected to be in line for about $11 billion of funding.
“With strategic investments in R&D complementing targeted industry incentives, CHIPS for America will not only bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S. – it will keep it here for good,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in a separate statement.
The NSTC will ensure the U.S. leads the way in the next generation of semiconductor technologies by supporting the latest design, prototyping, and piloting of semiconductors; leverage shared facilities and expertise to ensure innovators have access to critical capabilities; and build and sustain a skilled and diverse semiconductor workforce.
NSTC will establish an investment fund to help emerging semiconductor companies advance technologies toward commercialization.
The research hub also will be launching the NSTC Community of Interest, a no-cost, pre-membership program for interested stakeholders to provide input into the program offerings and structure of the NSTC.
According to Raimondo, the NSTC will also lower the barriers to participation in semiconductor R&D, create a more vibrant national ecosystem, and directly address fundamental needs for a skilled, diverse semiconductor workforce. The consortium aims to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into workforce development and will offer grants for semiconductor research.
“As we create opportunities for good-paying jobs, the workforce initiatives, such as the NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence, will help ensure a diverse, skilled, and prepared workforce across the nation,” the Commerce Secretary said.
