NIST Issues Broad Agency Announcement for Proposals to Advance Microelectronics Technologies
Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under its CHIPS Research & Development Office to solicit proposals for research, prototyping and commercial solutions that advance microelectronics technology in the United States. Funding consideration will be on a rolling basis.
NIST highlights priority topic areas including advanced semiconductor technologies, application of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology and biomanufacturing for microelectronics, commercialisation of innovations and standards development. Eligible applicants include for‑profit and non‑profit organisations, accredited higher education institutions, federally funded research and development centres (FFRDCs) and federal entities. All applicants must submit a white paper; selected respondents will be asked to provide a pre‑negotiation package.
Key Points
- NIST released a CHIPS R&D BAA to support research, prototyping and commercial solutions that advance US microelectronics.
- Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis — submit a white paper to be considered; invited applicants submit a pre‑negotiation package.
- Priority topics: semiconductors, AI for microelectronics R&D, quantum applications, biotech/biomanufacturing for microelectronics, commercialisation and standards development.
- Eligible applicants: US for‑profit and non‑profit organisations, accredited universities, FFRDCs and federal entities.
- NIST will host an informational webinar with guidance on white papers and questions; details to be posted on the CHIPS R&D BAA webpage.
- The BAA aligns with NIST’s Strategy for American Technology Leadership and aims to accelerate commercialisation and US leadership in semiconductor-related industries.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you work in semiconductors, AI, quantum, biomanufacturing or you’re hunting for UK/US partnership funding and routes to commercialise microelectronics tech, this is proper important. NIST is opening the door to funding and collaboration under the CHIPS programme — get a white paper ready, because submissions are being accepted on a rolling basis and this could kickstart development or scale‑up plans.
Context and Relevance
This announcement is a strategic move to boost US competitiveness and speed up commercialisation in industries of the future. It connects to broader policy efforts under the CHIPS initiative and NIST’s Strategy for American Technology Leadership. For researchers and companies, the BAA is both an opportunity to secure funding and a means to influence standards and tooling that will shape microelectronics supply chains and downstream tech such as AI and quantum systems.