For decades, the U.S. National Science Foundation has invested in the technological building blocks of the modern electronics that people depend on every day.
Semiconductors are the backbone of most electronics, from smart phones to home appliances, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to satellites.
Breakthroughs in semiconductors and microelectronics will be key to overcoming limits in critical areas, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, manufacturing and communications.
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Brought to you by NSF
NSF's decades of sustained investments have ensured the continual advance of semiconductors and microelectronics. Pioneering work supported by NSF includes:
Smartphones
From their liquid crystal displays to their microprocessors, NSF-supported research into semiconductor materials and microelectronics was essential to the creation of many materials found in smartphones.
LED lights
NSF-funded research expanded the capabilities and energy efficiency of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, found in everyday electronics from smartphones and computers to streetlamps, home appliances and ceiling fans.
Nanotechnology
NSF-funded research into nanotechnologies is facilitating groundbreaking discoveries at the quantum level, enabling advances in faster computer chips, high-performance imaging systems and more.
What we support
Fundamental research
We invest in research that builds knowledge to enhance the performance, energy use, scalability, security, interoperability and resilience of semiconductor materials and microelectronic technologies.
Next-generation semiconductors
We support researchers in developing and fabricating secure, high-performance semiconductor devices built with novel and sustainable materials.
Innovations in microelectronics
We support new designs and methods that bring electrical, optical, magnetic and quantum components into microelectronics for diverse platforms and systems.
Access to fabrication facilities
We provide researchers and students across the U.S. with access to facilities where they can fabricate and test devices and systems.
Education and workforce development
We invest in education and training, in partnership with industry, to foster a nationwide research and development ecosystem for semiconductors and microelectronics.
Partnerships to accelerate progress
We partner with other federal agencies, industry and nonprofits to share data, tools, expertise and other resources; strengthen workforce development; and translate research into products and services that benefit society.
Featured funding
Future of Semiconductors
Supports the co-design of semiconductor materials, devices and systems to create high-performance, robust, secure, compact, energy-efficient and cost-effective technologies.
America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR)
Supports startups and small businesses to translate research into products and services, including semiconductors and microelectronics, with the potential to transform their industries and make a positive impact on society.
Electronics, Photonics and Magnetic Devices
Supports research on novel devices based on the principles of electronics, optics and photonics, optoelectronics, magnetics, opto- and electromechanics, electromagnetics and related physical phenomena.
Enabling Access to the Semiconductor Chip Ecosystem for Design, Fabrication and Training
Supports education, training and community infrastructure for end-to-end integrated micro/nano-electronic circuit semiconductor chip design.
Expeditions in Computing
Supports large-scale research projects in computer science and engineering, including addressing complex problems related to semiconductor technology and its applications.
Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies
Supports inclusive experiential learning opportunities that provide cohorts of diverse learners with the skills needed to succeed in advanced computing and other emerging technology fields.
Partnership for Prototyping of CMOS+X Systems
Supports collaborative research that integrate CMOS — short for complementary metal-oxide semiconductors — semiconductor chips with emerging technologies like resistive and nanomagnetic memories.
Principles and Practice of Scalable Systems
Supports interdisciplinary research that spans the entire hardware–software stack and studies the scalability and accuracy of modern applications, systems and toolchains built on heterogeneous architectures.
Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace
Supports research to develop secure and trustworthy computing systems, including those relying on advanced semiconductor technologies.
Supplements for Access to Semiconductor Fabrication
Supports the fabrication of research devices and systems through standard semiconductor fabrication facilities.
