The Department of Commerce and Natcast have selected Sunnyvale, California, as the location for the next flagship research facility under the CHIPS for America initiative. This Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) will drive semiconductor research, workforce training, and ecosystem-wide collaboration, aiming to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and innovation ecosystem. The Sunnyvale facility joins a network of CHIPS for America centers focused on advancing semiconductor technology and addressing workforce demands in Silicon Valley’s thriving tech environment.
This facility will focus on several critical areas, including advanced semiconductor design research and workforce initiatives. Natcast, as the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), intends to bring together a wide range of stakeholders, from established companies to startups, as well as academic institutions. Planned activities at the Sunnyvale DCF will involve both physical and digital tools to support ongoing semiconductor research and promote the development of a skilled workforce for the semiconductor industry.
• Location: Sunnyvale, CA
• Operator: Natcast, managing the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC)
• Focus Areas: Chip design, electronic design automation (EDA), chip/system architecture, and hardware security
• Key Programs: NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence, Design Enablement Gateway, future Investment Fund
• Collaborators: NSTC members across industry, academia, investors, and government
• Additional Facilities: CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Facility
“Surrounded by established companies and innovative startups, the CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility in Sunnyvale will enable NSTC members to address some of the most complex challenges in the semiconductor industry,” said Deirdre Hanford, CEO of Natcast.
- Natcast is a purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), established under the CHIPS and Science Act. As a public-private consortium, the NSTC brings together government, industry, and academia to advance semiconductor research and development in the United States. Natcast’s mission is to serve as the focal point for research and engineering throughout the semiconductor ecosystem, advancing and enabling disruptive innovation to provide U.S. leadership in the industries of the future.
