Nearly $38M federal award to spur microelectronics development

The Biden-Harris Administration, represented by Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment Amos Hochstein, announced the awards at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. 

The NEMC Hub, which is part of the Microelectronics Commons programme and executed through the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), received six of the 33 critical technology project awards announced today, the most awards received by one of the eight Microelectronics Commons Hubs. The Department of Defense announced a total of $269 million in awards for 33 new technical projects under the Microelectronics Commons programme.

“Today’s awards highlight the innovation and expertise that exists across the Northeast when it comes to microelectronics and semiconductors, especially right here in Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The NEMC Hub is creating research and partnerships that will have long-lasting, positive impacts on our national security, bring more of this critical chip research back to the US and our region, and result in the development of cutting-edge tools that will help protect our country and empower our service members stationed around the world. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for prioritising this sector and investing in Massachusetts.”  

“Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, NEMC Hub leadership and all of those responsible for making the CHIPS Act a reality, as these awards will deliver critically important technology and jobs to our region over the coming years,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Growing up in a military family, I know how imperative it is that our service members are equipped with the best, most-reliable technologies available. That means tech backed by homegrown, state-of-the-art chipsets made here in America.” 

“Massachusetts is home to our nation’s leading advanced manufacturers and we’re excited that the investments announced today will help ensure these companies have the tools and talent they need to succeed,” said Economic Development Secretary and MassTech Collaborative Board Chair Yvonne Hao. “We’re proud of the NEMC Hub and MassTech for expanding this coalition to more than 200 members and leading this effort to attract CHIPS investments to the Northeast.”   

“This is a major win for Massachusetts, the Northeast and the US overall,” said Federal Funds and Infrastructure Director Quentin Palfrey. “We thank the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of Defense, NSWC Crane Division and NSTXL for investing these CHIPS dollars where they will have a major impact on our national security and readiness, doubling down on our home-grown innovators and world-class research institutions across the region.” 

The NEMC Hub is a 200-member organisation led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). NEMC Hub’s member organisations submitted 15 competitive proposals to the federal Call for Projects launched in December 2023, which offered up a potential for $280 million in competitive awards during the first year of the programme. NEMC Hub’s awarded projects covered five of the six critical technology execution areas outlined by NSTXL in the initial programme launch. These include: 

• 5G/6G technology
• Artificial intelligence hardware
• Quantum technology
• Electromagnetic warfare
• Commercial leap ahead

Each of the collaborative projects awarded are comprised of the NEMC Hub, a Hub member organisation project technical lead, and multiple other Hub member organisations from across the Northeast region and the nation. The NEMC Hub is also participating in the $35 million Cross-Hub Enablement Solution for electronic design and automation tools and infrastructure project awarded through the Microelectronics Commons. 

“We have a tremendous opportunity to grow microelectronics lab-to-fab capabilities across the Northeast region and spur the growth of game-changing technologies in this sector,” said NEMC Hub Director Mark Halfman. “These programmes will only be successful if our member companies have the talent to mature these technologies and expand their operations, which is why we use our CHIPS Act funding to go beyond tech investments and also fund innovative programmes that will help train the next generation semiconductor workforce."  

“These awards, announced on the two-year anniversary of the CHIPS Act, are recognition of the strength, depth, and breadth that exists in the Northeast microelectronics ecosystem,” said MassTech’s Deputy Director and Chief Investment Strategist Ben Linville-Engler. “It is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, organisation and leadership that the NEMC Hub and its members have demonstrated during the inaugural year of the Microelectronics Commons.”