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Index
Department of Commerce (DoC)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
US Patent and Trade Administration (USPTO)
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
US AI Safety Institute (USAISI)
National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)
Department of Energy (DoE)
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
Office of Critical and Emerging Technology (OCET)
Department of Homeland Security (DoHS)
Cybersecurity and & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Office of Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience (CIRR)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
CHIPS Initiative
The CHIPS for America program aims to fund the domestic semiconductor industry and create jobs within the industry.
Dr. Laurie Locascio - Director of NIST and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology
Authority
Responsibilities and goals
- Invest in the production of strategically important semiconductor chips
- Ensure a secure supply of older and current generation chips for national security and critical industries,
- Strengthen U.S. semiconductor R&D leadership
- Grow the semiconductor workforce
Authorizations
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) authorizes key components of the CHIPS for America program. Sections 9902 and 9906 of the NDAA authorize the Secretary of Commerce to implement various semiconductor initiatives.
The table below summarizes these authorizations:
| Authorization | Section |
|---|---|
| Provide funding to eligible applicants to incentivize investment in facilities and equipment in the United States for semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, production | 9902 |
| Provide funding for research and development of semiconductors | 9902 |
| Provide funding for materials used to manufacture semiconductors | 9902 |
| Provide funding for semiconductor manufacturing equipment | 9902 |
| Establish a National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) to conduct research and prototyping of advanced semiconductor technology | 9906 |
| Establish a National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) | 9906 |
| Establish up to three Manufacturing USA institutes to advance research and commercialization of semiconductor manufacturing technologies | 9906 |
| Carry out an R&D program to advance measurement science, standards, material characterization, instrumentation, testing, and manufacturing capabilities | 9906 |
The CHIPS Act of 2022 (Division A of P.L. 117-167) builds upon the NDAA framework by appropriating funds and amending previous legislation. This Act provides the necessary funding to implement the CHIPS for America program.
The table below summarizes authorizations and appropriations:
| Authorization | Section |
|---|---|
| Appropriate $50 billion to the Department of Commerce for implementing semiconductor programs | Division A |
| Allocate $39 billion for manufacturing incentives | Division A |
| Allocate $11 billion for research and development activities | Division A |
| Amend P.L. 116-283 (the NDAA) to implement and fund the CHIPS program | Division A |
Programs
CHIPS Incentives Program: This program provides financial assistance to incentivize investment in semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, production, and research and development. The DOC can provide funding through through grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and loan guarantees. For FY 2025, $5 billion is allocated to continue making financial assistance awards to promote investment in domestic semiconductor production capacity, including addressing national security requirements.
National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC): The NSTC conducts research and prototyping of advanced semiconductor technology. Its activities include R&D challenges, operation of prototyping facilities, roadmapping activities, investment in new semiconductor technologies, and relevant workforce development efforts. For FY 2025, $1.03 billion is allocated to provide ongoing funding for projects and operations of the NSTC.
Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institutes: These institutes aim to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem by advancing research and development in areas such as design, fabrication, advanced testing, assembly, and packaging capabilities. $25 million is allocated in FY 2025 to provide support to Manufacturing USA institutes focused on semiconductor and microelectronics innovation.
Metrology Research Program: This program supports metrology R&D for the semiconductor industry. It focuses on enabling advances in measurement science, standards, material characterization, instrumentation, testing, and manufacturing capabilities related to semiconductors. $23 million is allocated in FY 2025 to NIST to these programs.
Index
Department of Commerce (DoC)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
US Patent and Trade Administration (USPTO)
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
US AI Safety Institute (USAISI)
National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)
Department of Energy (DoE)
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
Office of Critical and Emerging Technology (OCET)
Department of Homeland Security (DoHS)
Cybersecurity and & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Office of Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience (CIRR)