Subject to the availability of funds, this NOFO seeks
applications for industry-informed, university-based artificial
intelligence-powered autonomous experimentation (AI/AE) collaborations,
including research and development, education and workforce development, and
related activities relevant to sustainable semiconductor materials and
processes. If successful, awards made under this NOFO will support the
long-term viability of next-generation domestic semiconductor manufacturing,
accelerating the discovery, design, synthesis, and adoption of materials and
processes, and the development of new researchers needed to meet the industry’s
technology, economic, and sustainability goals.

Through awards made under this NOFO, the CHIPS Research
and Development Office (CHIPS R&D) aims to achieve the following
objectives:

1) Accelerate research into and delivery of targeted,
industry-relevant, sustainable semiconductor materials and processes through
the application of AI/AE;

2) Propagate models for incorporating sustainability
metrics into semiconductor industry materials design and discovery, in addition
to continued advancement in power, performance, area, cost, or other relevant
technology metrics;

3) Expand the capabilities of emerging research
institutions and other emerging R&D participants through cohesive,
innovative teams of universities, industry, government labs, and other
stakeholders; and

4) Build an exceptional workforce of university graduates
and faculty with AI/AE R&D expertise.

Project period: up to five (5) years.

Cost share: Non-federal cost share is not required in
this program.

Anticipated awards: $20 to $40 million per award