Governments arounds the world are increasing aware of the need for a strong and flourishing microelectronics sector for national security and economic prosperity. As cities are being run on smart grids, intelligence from smart data/AI, transportation as smart mobility and goods produced with smart manufacturing, and the interconnectedness brought by satellite and internet communications, access to microelectronics components and products are a matter of strategic importance.
Yet the complex and global nature of the microelectronics industry has never been more evident. For example, a typical semiconductor production process - from raw materials to finished product sale - spans multiple countries sometimes in less than 2 weeks. The dependencies are many and no one region or country can support an entire ecosystem, no matter how much they spend
SEMI supports efforts to bolster the semiconductor industry and its ecosystem with incentives for research and development, manufacturing infrastructure, workforce development, and related initiatives. We maintain experts and committees to monitor developments around the world that influence the industry and support collaboration wherever possible.
Basic research fuels continuous advances in microelectronics technologies. In addition, governments have the opportunity to bridge the gaps between basic research and commercialization with targeted programs. SEMI is frequently called upon to share best practices and comments on proposals, bringing its history of successful public/private partnerships in the technology development space to bear on current challenges.
Public/Private Partnerships
Funding of basic research is closely linked with a nation’s economic prosperity in the modern global economy. SEMI manages several public private partnerships, where our unique position as stewards of technology and workforce development bring important insights and the ability to assemble the best and brightest minds, to key areas of concern. In the U.S., FlexTech, Nano-Bio Materials Consortium (NBMC) and Position, Navigation & Timing are just three examples. In Singapore, SEMI Southeast Asia works with and supports the with A*Star programs, often providing thought-leadership and seeking input at SEMI events and meetings. SEMI Europe staff in Brussels maintain close communication with E.U. officials in Science and Technology, as well as Workforce Development roles, including the METIS (Mobile and wireless communications Enablers for the Twenty-twenty Information Society) Project.
Further, SEMI endorses critical research and development investments at U.S. universities for engineering and science programs that are vital to competitive leadership in electronics and materials sciences.
U.S. Government support for R&D funding plays a critical role in U.S. competitiveness and future economic prosperity. In the U.S., SEMI supports the full funding of R&D programs at the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Standards & Technology, the National Science Foundation, and other important agencies within the Department of Commerce.
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