Funded activities will include operational tasks to run the Institute, basic and applied research related to semiconductor digital twin development, establishment and support of shared physical and digital facilities, industry-relevant demonstration projects, and workforce training related to digital twins.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated, “Digital twin technology can drive innovation in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing across the country, but this can only be achieved through investments in understanding and utilizing this new technology in America.”
The Biden administration has scheduled briefings on May 16th with interested parties to discuss funding opportunities. The government will finance the institute’s operational activities, research on digital twins, physical and digital facilities including access to cloud environments, and workforce training.
The CHIPS Act was passed in 2022 to enhance semiconductor manufacturing in the US but has faced challenges meeting capital demands. Manufacturers had requested over $70 billion in grants, surpassing the government’s $28 billion budget allocation.
Companies like Intel and Micron are set to receive funding through the CHIPS Act. The Biden administration aims to incentivize semiconductor companies to develop new processor types in the US, particularly with the increased demand for high-powered chips driven by the AI industry.