NIST Seeks Feedback on Programs Authorized under CHIPS for America Act to Support Semiconductor Manufacturing

In an effort to support U.S. global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking feedback on programs that were authorized under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act. NIST's two Requests for Information (RFI) opportunities relate to 1) the design and implementation of incentive programs to encourage investment in domestic manufacturing capacity, and 2) the development of new Manufacturing USA institutes intended to enhance U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.

The Chips and Science Act, signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, was launched to boost American semiconductor research, development, and production, with the ultimate goal of strengthening U.S. leadership in the technology sector. Furthermore, as ANSI’s vice president of government relations and public policy Mary Saunders reflects in a co-authored 2022 Atlantic Council article, the Act has important provisions in support of standardization.

Design and Implementation of Programs RFI

To encourage investment in domestic manufacturing capacity and to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, NIST’s CHIPS Program Office (CPO) seeks input on the design and implementation of incentive programs.

The RFI, published in the October 12 Federal Register seeks information on:

• structuring grants, loans, and loan guarantees to ensure that they add to, rather than substitute for, private sector investments;
• identifying the most significant supply chain bottlenecks for U.S. semiconductor fabrication facilities;
• measuring the effectiveness of efforts to combat cloning, counterfeiting, and relabeling of semiconductors;
• designing taxpayer protections that prevent recipients from spending CHIPS funds on stock buybacks or dividends; and
• identifying the types of investments that have been most effective in promoting inclusive economic growth for workers and communities.

NIST requests responses by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 14, 2022. Responses to the RFI, considered alongside responses to a prior RFI, will further inform the planning of the CPO for the implementation of these programs.

Manufacturing USA Institutes RFI

NIST also seeks feedback to support U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing through advanced research, education, and workforce development. A RFI published in the October 13 Federal Register seeks public input on the development of up to three new Manufacturing USA institutes, intended to be public-private collaborations focused on technology, supply chain, and education and workforce development.

NIST requests feedback related to:

• potential research focus areas, such as artificial intelligence for chip design, testing and metrology, new materials, among other areas;
• the structure and governance of the institutes;
• strategies for driving co-investments by businesses, academic institutions, and nonfederal entities; and
• how research and development activities can be integrated into educational programs to strengthen the current and future workforce.

NIST requests feedback by November 28, 2022, and will offer informational webinars on how to submit comments on November 2 and 16. Responses will inform NIST's development of funding opportunities for federal assistance to establish Manufacturing USA semiconductor institutes.

“It is critically important to our prosperity and national security that we reestablish our leadership role in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Dr. Laurie E. Locascio. “To do that, we need a whole-of-nation approach to solving this problem. That’s why we’re asking experts and stakeholders to provide important guidance as we design these programs for maximum impact while protecting the taxpayer’s investment in our nation’s future.”

Read the NIST article: CHIPS for America Seeks Input on Financial Incentives, New Institutes for Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Read the recent article co-authored by Mary Saunders in partnership with the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center: “Beyond CHIPS: Prioritizing standardization is critical for U.S. competitiveness.”