Through this opportunity, NIST 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 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.

If successful, CHIPS R&D investments under this NOFO should demonstrate that new sustainable semiconductor materials and processes, meeting industry needs, can be designed and adopted for industry testing within five years. Further, the investment should accelerate a step-change in the number of universities, researchers, and graduates participating in the U.S. semiconductor R&D ecosystem.

UD Internal Limited Submission Deadline: 12/2/2024, 11:59 PM
Concept Papers Due to NIST: 01/13/2025, 11:59 PM
Full application deadlines will be communicated to invited applicants at the time of invitation

Link to FOA Here: CHIPS AI/AE for Rapid, Industry-informed Sustainable Semiconductor Materials and Processes (CARISSMA)

PI Eligibility:  Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application. Individuals from underrepresented groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.  

Institutional Limit: Only one (1) application per institution is allowed.

Application Information:  Interested PIs must submit a one-page Concept Paper (in PDF format). Applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.

Merit Review Criteria: Summaries will be reviewed based on the criteria detailed in the solicitation.