An integrated photonics silicon wafer fabricated at AIM Photonics, a Manufacturing USA institute in Albany, New York.
AIM Photonics
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) CHIPS for America initiative is seeking public input on two programs that aim to restore U.S. global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. Both were authorized under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act.
"It is critically important to our prosperity and national security that we reestablish our leadership role in semiconductor manufacturing," said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. "To do that, we need a whole-of-nation approach to solving this problem. That's why we're asking experts and stakeholders to provide important guidance as we design these programs for maximum impact while protecting the taxpayer's investment in our nation's future."
Chips and other semiconductor devices are critical components in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other advanced technologies and are a mainstay of the consumer products we use every day.
The CHIPS for America initiative includes two main components. First, it provides financial incentives to encourage investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Second, it establishes collaborative networks for research and innovation that will ensure an enduring technological edge. The two Requests for Information (RFIs) announced today cover both aspects of the initiative.
CHIPS Incentives Program RFI
With this Incentives Program RFI, NIST's CHIPS Program Office seeks public input on the design and implementation of incentive programs, including grants, loans and loan guarantees to encourage investment in domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
This RFI follows an earlier one on "Incentives, Infrastructure, and Research and Development Needs to Support a Strong Domestic Semiconductor Industry," which was issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Jan. 24, 2022, prior to enactment of the CHIPS Act. Responses to the new RFI will be considered alongside those from the previous one when designing incentives programs.
This RFI seeks input in several areas, including information on:
- Structuring grants, loans and loan guarantees to ensure that they add to, rather than substitute for, private sector investments.
- Identifying the most significant supply chain bottlenecks for U.S. semiconductor fabrication facilities.
- Measuring the effectiveness of efforts to combat cloning, counterfeiting and relabeling of semiconductors.
- Designing taxpayer protections that prevent recipients from spending CHIPS funds on stock buybacks or dividends.
- Identifying the types of investments that have been most effective in promoting inclusive economic growth for workers and communities.
While this RFI specifically seeks input on these and other topics, the CHIPS Program Office welcomes all responses that stakeholders believe will support the development of a strong program that will create a robust domestic semiconductor manufacturing sector.
All submissions received in response to this RFI will be posted on the NIST website
