CRDO Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

On September 24, 2025, NIST announced it is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for research, prototyping, and commercial solutions that advance microelectronics technology in the U.S. to be considered for funding by the CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO). Proposals will grow U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and accelerate the pace of commercialization to enable technology dominance in the industries of the future, in areas including advanced microelectronics research and development with a nexus to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing, Commercialization of Innovation, and/or Standards Development. You can read the BAA here.

On October 8, 2025, CRDO hosted an informational webinar and provided general information regarding the BAA, offered general guidance on preparing White Papers and if invited, Pre-negotiation Packages, and answered questions submitted in advance. Proprietary technical discussions about specific project ideas were not permitted during the webinar. However, questions about the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, evaluation and award criteria, selection process, and the general characteristics of a meritorious application were addressed during the webinar. 

On April 20, 2026, CRDO launched the Investment Fund for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The Investment Fund will be administered through the BAA, which has been revised to have two application paths – the Investment Fund Path and the R&D Project Path. Through the Investment Fund, CRDO will make investments in companies that conduct research and prototyping activities, with the goal of eventually commercializing innovations that strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, securing the semiconductor supply chain, and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers to safeguard U.S. national security. Applicants interested in the Investment Fund must apply through the BAA. However, CRDO will evaluate BAA applications based on the factors articulated in the BAA and, at CRDO’s discretion, invite White Paper applicants to proceed down the Investment Fund Path or the R&D Project Path. 

You can read the revised BAA here.

BAA Application Process:

• White Paper: White Papers are required for both the R&D Project Path and the Investment Fund Path and may be submitted by or before September 30, 2029, via grants.gov. CRDO will review White Paper submissions as soon as practicable after they are submitted. An initial review of White Papers will be conducted for eligibility, completeness, and responsiveness. White Papers deemed ineligible, incomplete, or nonresponsive will receive no further consideration. CRDO may, however, seek additional information from an applicant to assist in CRDO’s evaluation of the White Paper.
  • For the R&D Project Path, White Papers deemed eligible, complete, and responsive will be reviewed for (1) the potential contribution to national and economic security; (2) scientific and technical merit; (3) project feasibility; and (4) commercial viability. White Papers that do not sufficiently address these criteria will not receive further review and will not be invited to submit a Pre-negotiation Package. However, CRDO may provide technical feedback and request resubmission of White Papers.
  • For the Investment Fund Path, CRDO will review a White Paper’s potential for investment and contribution to national and economic security, consistent with the criteria in section V.2 of the BAA. Applicants selected by CRDO for the Investment Fund Path will be invited to submit an Investment Fund Application.
• R&D Project Path Pre-negotiation Package: Applicants whose White Papers are determined by CRDO to have adequately addressed the evaluation criteria, and are not selected for the Investment Fund Path, will be invited to submit an R&D Project Path Pre-negotiation Package, which will include a detailed technical and cost proposal, and other required documents. R&D Project Path Pre-negotiation Packages may only be submitted by entities that are invited to do so by CRDO. R&D Project Path Pre-negotiation Packages submitted in the absence of a specific invitation will not be reviewed or evaluated in any way. Additional information will be provided to those invited to submit an R&D Project Path Pre-negotiation Package.
• Investment Fund Path Application: Applicants whom CRDO determine, based on the White Paper, are better suited for the Investment Fund Path will be invited to submit an Investment Fund Application. An Investment Fund Application will include a description of the company, how the investment would further U.S. economic and national security goals, and financial information, among other requirements. Additional information regarding the application requirements will be provided to those entities invited by CRDO to submit an Investment Fund Path Application. Investment Fund Path Applications may only be submitted by entities that are invited to do so by CRDO. Investment Fund Applications submitted in the absence of a specific invitation will not be reviewed or evaluated in any way. 

Additional information regarding the Submission Instructions and Package Requirements and Administrative and National Policy Requirements for this BAA is available. These materials may be updated from time to time.