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Notice of Funding Opportunity: CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute
U.S. Department of Commerce Invites Three Teams to Submit Applications for the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute
On July 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that three teams have been invited to submit full applications for the CHIPS Manufacturing USA funding opportunity to establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital twins for the semiconductor industry. Digital twins are virtual models that mimic the structure, context, and behavior of a physical counterpart. Once established, the CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will help unite the semiconductor industry to unlock the enormous potential of digital twin technology for breakthrough discoveries. The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute is the first Manufacturing USA institute launched by the Department of Commerce under the Biden Administration.
Unlike traditional, physical research models, digital twins can exist in the cloud, which enables collaborative design and process development by engineers and researchers across the country, creating new opportunities for participation, speeding innovation, and reducing costs of research and development. Digital twin-based research can also leverage emerging technology like artificial intelligence to help accelerate the design of new U.S. chip development and manufacturing concepts and significantly reduce costs by improving capacity planning, production optimization, facility upgrades, and real-time process adjustments.
The CHIPS for America Program anticipates awarding up to approximately $285 million for a first-of-its kind institute focused on the development, validation, and use of digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes. Full applications are due on September 9, 2024.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will join an existing network of seventeen Manufacturing USA institutes designed to secure the future of U.S. manufacturing through innovation, education, and collaboration.
Please visit the CHIPS R&D funding page for information on other opportunities.
On May 6, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeking proposals from eligible applicants for activities to establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital twins for the semiconductor industry. Digital twins are virtual models that mimic the structure, context, and behavior of a physical counterpart.
The CHIPS for America Program anticipates up to approximately $285 million for a first-of-its kind institute focused on the development, validation, and use of digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes.
Application Process
There are two main components to this application:
Mandatory Concept Paper: Applicants will be asked to submit a concept paper. Concept papers were due on June 20, 2024.
- Concept papers will only be accepted through Grants.gov.
- Eligible applicants may only submit one Concept Paper for the institute award under this NOFO.
- The deadline for receipt of a concept papers at Grants.gov is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, June 20, 2024.
- Concept papers received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered.
- Please note that an active SAM.gov registration is required to submit application materials through Grants.gov.
Full Application Process: Full proposals are due September 9, 2024.
- Full applications will be accepted only from those applicants invited after concept paper evaluation.