New initiative within Chips JU: Chips for Europe Initiative
New within Chips JU is Chips for Europe Initiative, which has five operational objective to be implemented via planned efforts: (read more about each below)
- Setting up a platform for semiconductor design
- Reinforce ongoing and develop new advanced pilot lines
- Building capacity to accelerate the development of quantum circuits and related semiconductor technologies
- Establish a network of competence centers within the EU
- Competence development
The five initiatives
1. Design platform
Semiconductor design constitutes approximately 30 percent of the entire market value in the semiconductor value chain. Europe's share of the semiconductor design market today is only around 7 percent and it is highly fragmented. Via Chips JU, a virtual design platform will be created that offers cloud-based access to tools, libraries and support to increase the pace of development of semiconductor design and reduce the time from lab to market implementation. The target groups for the investment are fast-growing small to medium-sized companies. Both the competence center and pilot lines must be connected with the design platform.
2. Pilot lines
The pilot lines established within Chips JU are to be used for research and innovation in semiconductor technology. They must focus on the European industrial needs, and support small and medium-sized companies. They must contribute long-term to the EU's supply of semiconductors and support technology development in the field of semiconductors and quantum technology. The pilot lines are also to be co-financed by the EU Commission and participating Member States. They must also be connected with the competence center and the design platforms.
3. Build capacity to accelerate the development of quantum circuits and related semiconductor technologies
This is mainly done via pilot lines, the design platform and via the competence centre.
4. Competence center
In total, the European Commission expects that there will be 27 competence centers, with half of the funding coming from the EU and the other half from the own country. Vinnova plans to finance the establishment of a competence center for semiconductors in Sweden, which will focus on small and medium-sized companies and deep-tech companies, research-intensive companies. The establishment of the competence center is preceded by an open process, where Vinnova involves actors who are interested in coordinating a competence centre. The European Commission is opening a targeted call for proposals in 2024 where the actors who are nominated in Sweden, other EU countries and in Norway can apply. A Swedish competence center for semiconductors within Chips JU is estimated to be able to start at the end of 2024 or at the beginning of 2025.
Read more here: Swedish center for semiconductors through new EU programme
5. Competence development
Competence development will take place within the Competence Center and as part of all other initiatives.