By bringing together government, industry, labour, customers, suppliers, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors, the National Semiconductor Technology Center will expedite innovations, reduce barriers in R&D, and address basic needs for a diverse semiconductor workforce
The Biden-Harris Administration plans to invest more than $5bn in semiconductor-related R&D and workforce requirements. (Credit: brookhaven from Pixabay)
The US government has revealed plans to invest more than $5bn in semiconductor-related research, development (R&D) and workforce requirements.
The investment encompasses the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) to support US President Joe Biden’s initiatives of driving R&D in the country.
Established as a public-private consortium, the NSTC will bolster the design, prototyping, and piloting of the latest semiconductor technologies.
The consortium includes Secretaries of Commerce, Defense, and Energy, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and Natcast CEO Deirdre Hanford.
By bringing together government, industry, labour, customers, suppliers, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors, the NSTC will expedite innovations, reduce barriers in R&D, and address basic needs for a diverse semiconductor workforce.
Besides, the NSTC will utilise shared facilities and expertise to ensure innovators have access to critical capabilities.
The Biden-Harris Administration said that the CHIPS R&D programme includes $11bn in total funding to advance four programmes.
This includes the NSTC, the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP), the CHIPS Metrology Program, and the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute.
The White House stated: “As part of the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act and the President’s Investing in America agenda, these investments advance US leadership in semiconductor R&D, cut down on the time and cost of commercialising new technologies, bolster US national security, and connect and support workers in securing good semiconductor jobs.”
Furthermore, the administration plans to invest at least hundreds of millions of dollars in the NSTC’s workforce initiatives. This will include the creation of a workforce centre of excellence with a presence in various regions.