SIA Applauds CHIPS Award for Semiconductor Research Corporation’s SMART USA Institute

by Semiconductor Industry Association

WASHINGTON—Nov. 19, 2024—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer commending the announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) are entering negotiations for the Commerce Department to provide SRC $285 million to establish and operate the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute for Digital Twins.

With combined (federal and non-federal) funding totaling $1 billion, this investment will support a first-of-its-kind Manufacturing USA semiconductor digital twin institute that will develop digital innovation tools to accelerate domestic semiconductor design, manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes.

“The selection of SRC to establish and operate the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute for Digital Twins marks a big step forward for U.S. semiconductor innovation and for America’s global technology leadership. SRC is a longtime SIA partner and has a demonstrated history of supporting transformational research across the semiconductor ecosystem. It has earned the trust of influential players in the research and industry communities.

“We applaud the Commerce Department and SRC for partnering on this critical initiative and have every confidence the new institute will make lasting and meaningful contributions to the advancement of U.S. chip production and innovation.”

The mission of SMART USA is to foster a collaborative ecosystem within the domestic semiconductor industry enabled by shared facilities; support industry-led solutions through funded research projects; accelerate technology towards commercialization through significant co-investment; and enable digital twin workforce training.

SMART USA will join an existing network of 17 institutes designed to increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and promote a robust R&D infrastructure.

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About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America’s top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.