Commerce Department announces $285 million fund to improve digital twins in semiconductor manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced plans to “establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital twins for the semiconductor industry.” This marks the first Manufacturing USA institute launched under the Biden Administration. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been issued, and eligible applicants are encourage to submit proposals for the CHIPS for America Program. Up to $285 million in funding will be awarded to various institutes to develop, validate, and use digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes. According to the department, funded activities include “establishing and supporting shared physical and digital facilities; industry-relevant demonstration projects; and digital twin-related workforce training.”
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, “Digital twin technology can help to spark innovation in research, development, and manufacturing of semiconductors across the country – but only if we invest in America’s understanding and ability of this new technology. This new Manufacturing USA institute will not only help to make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, it will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in R&D and production of chips.”
Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie E. Locascio added, “Digital twin technology will help transform the semiconductor industry. This historic investment in the CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will help unite the semiconductor industry to unlock the enormous potential of digital twin technology for breakthrough discoveries. This is a prime example of how CHIPS for America is bringing research institutions and industry partners together in public private partnership to enable rapid adoption of innovations that will enhance domestic competitiveness for decades to come.”
Latest semiconductor news
Micron Technology receives $6.1 billion from CHIPS and Science Act to establish new fabs in New York and Idaho
Micron plans to invest over $100 billion over the next two decades, generating tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Samsung to receive $6.4 billion from the CHIPS and Science Act to establish semiconductor ecosystem in Texas
This funding will complement Samsung’s investment of $40 billion into its existing hub in Texas, which would create 20,000 new jobs in the coming years.
TSMC receives $6.6 billion from CHIPS Act and announces third fab in Arizona
Additionally, TSMC may receive up to $5 billion in loans from the U.S. government.
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The CHIPS Act Helps the Wrong Companies
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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