New Funding Opportunities to the European
Chips Ecosystem
The European Chips Act will unlock unprecedented funding to support the semiconductor sector across Europe and be a key opportunity for start-ups, SMEs, large enterprises and RTOs active in the semiconductor and quantum technology space.
About the EU Chips Act
Because of the recent global chips shortage, EU launched the European Chips Act in September 2023. It will mobilise up to EUR 43 billion of public and private investments through 2030 to bolster Europe’s research, technology and industry in semiconductors.
Chips are key assets for many crucial value chains in Europe (automotive, ICT, energy, biomedical, etc.) and by increasing the competitiveness and resilience of the EU semiconductor ecosystem, the Chips Act will also help to achieve the digital and green transition.
Implemented Through 3 Main Pillars
Each main pillar addresses a different challenge faced by the EU semiconductor ecosystem and access to funding will be routed through Pillar I and II. A wide range of Technology Readiness Levels (from TRL 3 to 9) will be targeted across the Chips' value chain.
PILLAR I – FUNDING FOR R&I AND SMEs
Calls related to Pillar I are expected to open in Q2 2024 and will consist of two main instruments:
1. Chips Joint Undertaking (JU)
The expected overall funding is €11 billion. It will encompass Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Consortia composed by RTOs, SMEs, LEs, universities can apply.
2. The Chips Fund
A novel instrument for blended finance supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, small mid-caps can apply.
Supported Technologies
The Chips for Europe Initiative will cover the following thematic challenges:
* Cloud-based virtual design platforms
* Leading-edge process technology at 2nm and below
* Scaled FD-SOI down to 10nm and below
* Heterogeneous system integration
* Quantum chips design libraries
* Cleanrooms and foundries for quantum chips prototyping and production
* Quantum chips testing and validation.
PILLAR II – EC CERTIFICATIONS
Large enterprises with high operational maturity and plans to bring microelectronics factory at the forefront of the chips industry in EU can apply.
Pillar II will create a streamlined platform to access investment for new or upgraded manufacturing facilities with the goal to increase the resilience of the entire EU Chips value chain and through the support of State-Aid mechanisms. Such facilities must provide a dimension of innovation not yet present in the EU.
To receive support from State-Aid mechanisms, enterprises will be required to hold an official EC certification as “first-of-a-kind” facilities, under two possible labels:
* Integrated production facility (IPF): Vertically integrated facilities involved in the whole manufacturing chain.
* Open EU foundry (OEF): Facilities which dedicate part of their production capacity to manufacture chips for fabless companies (i.e. only focusing on chips design).
The status of IPF or OEF also entitle certified companies to a streamlined priority access to the pilot lines set up under the Pillar I.
COMPLEMENTARY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Do not miss other EU initiatives and funding opportunities that are already underway in the Chips space.
Horizon Europe – Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space: Types of instruments are RIA & IA.
The Budget per project is €4 - 33 million, and the targeted technology readiness ranges from TRL 2 to 7. Topics covered:
*Pilot line(s) for 2D materials-based devices
*Quantum sensing and metrology for market uptake
*Photonics
The call opens on 15 November 2023 and the deadline is 19 March 2024.
*Raw materials sourcing
The call opens on 19 September 2023 and the deadline is 7 February 2024.
IPCEI ME /CT (Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication technologies) was launched in June 2023, and member states will provide up to €8.1 billion in public funding. It is expected to unlock additional €13.7 billion in private investments. As part of the IPCEI ME/CT ecosystem, 56 companies, including SMEs and start-ups, have so far been involved.