On 8 September, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a joint $10 million endeavor with Intel Corporation to support the development of the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing workforce. The program is an expansion of an existing 10-year, $100 million collaboration between NSF and INTEL to address semiconductor design and manufacturing challenges and workforce shortages around the country.
Through this collaboration, NSF and Intel will invest in a wide range of innovative technology and advanced education and training for semiconductor manufacturing and design. The program will target its support at two-year colleges and four-year universities, including minority-serving institutions. Funds will be administered as institutional grants through the NSF Advanced Technology Education and Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs,
An outgrowth of the landmark CHIPS and Science Act passed by Congress earlier this year, this workforce development effort seeks to help redress chip shortages, semiconductor supply chain weaknesses and foreign dependencies exacerbated by the global pandemic by increasing domestic production capacity. Currently only 10% of the global supply of advanced chips is produced in the United States.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Intel to support research and workforce development to advance semiconductor design and manufacturing,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “It’s not just about chips — it’s about unlocking investments in America’s science and technology research, STEM education and workforce. This collaboration presents a remarkable opportunity for students entering this field.”
“NSF and Intel have a long history of successful partnerships,” said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, NSF’s newest directorate. “Together, NSF and Intel will jumpstart bold and transformative activities that will address immediate semiconductor manufacturing challenges and workforce shortages in the U.S.”
“This new program will provide increased opportunities in higher education for students from historically underrepresented groups and help foster a diverse semiconductor manufacturing workforce across the country,” said Gabriela Cruz Thompson, Intel Labs senior director of university research and collaboration. “We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with NSF to support STEM education at two-year colleges and four-year institutions and expanding the skilled technician and engineering workforce.”
For more information, see the NSF “Dear Colleague” announcement at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf22120
