SEMIconductors
Semiconductors are 1 of the 5 technologies of tomorrow. They are critical to the UK’s economic and national security and to the strategic advantage that the UK will secure on the global stage. Semiconductors are the silent enablers of technological process, contributing significantly to the advancement of industries in the United Kingdom.
Semiconductors – an essential role
As part of the Future Economy Review (FER), the Skills, Education, Manufacture Innovations for SEMIconductors programme was developed in close alignment with the UK Semiconductor Strategy to support the domestic manufacturing landscape and workforce, and to develop closer international collaborations.
Semiconductors play essential roles in all of the seven technology families defined in the UK Innovation Strategy: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; AI, Digital and Advanced; Computing; Bioinformatics and Genomics; Engineering Biology; Electronics, Photonics and Quantum; Energy and Environment Technologies; Robotics and Smart Machines.
This programme ensures that the UK has a secure and relevant position and capability within the global semiconductor landscape.
EVENT
Horizon Europe: Chips Joint Undertaking briefing
The UK has joined the EU’s Chips Joint Undertaking (JU) as a Participating State enhancing access to €1.3 billion Horizon Europe funding for collaborative research and innovation projects across semiconductors, electronics components and systems.
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How we support you
Innovate UK are investing £18 million into the FER-SEMIconductors programme to support innovation and aid the development of technologies in a wide range of sectors. The programme aims to identify common problems and underlying issues experienced throughout the semiconductor community and provide solutions.
Semiconductor related projects and investments:
- Skills – schools’ engagement/STEM, apprenticeships and internships, up-skilling and re-skilling of existing workforce, technical courses and vocational training, CPD
- Manufacturing – developing manufacturing through innovation projects, support a resilient UK supply chain, building collaborations across the wider UK semiconductor industry
- Collaborative research & development (CR&D) – further developing methods for the improvement and scale-up of UK semiconductors manufacturing
- Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKCs) – providing joint funding with Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to encourage closer links between academia and industry and to drive emergent semiconductor technologies towards market
The FER-SEMIconductor programme is conceived as an enabling technology programme in parallel with the IUK support already directed at the end-application aspect of semiconductors.
Testimonials
"Technology is vital to shaping the future of the UK economy. Innovate UK’s investment today in centres and skills underlines this importance. As the national innovation agency, Innovate UK will make these strategic investments to allow innovative businesses to grow and thrive in the UK and deliver against some of the biggest global challenges.”
— Professor Will Drury, Former Executive Director Digital and Technologies, Innovate UK
"The pre-visit workshop was critical in helping to fine tune our message. We’re used to working in a very niche, jargon-heavy industry, so having third-party feedback on how we can appeal to adjacent industries was very helpful."
— Dr Mirella Koleva, CEO, Quantopticon
"The UK’s Semiconductor Strategy is a great opportunity to boost our capabilities and competitiveness on a global scale. Compound semiconductors are a fundamental component of advanced technologies – powering our devices, driving innovation and fuelling economic growth."
— Sally Roberts, Business Development Manager, Advanced Telecoms from CSA Catapult
National semiconductor strategy
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have launched a new strategy to bolster the UK’s semiconductor industry. The 20 year plan sets out a strategic approach whereby the government will invest up to £1 billion in a range of measures to secure the UK’s advantage in this globally important sector.
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Catapult Network
A network of world-leading technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK and deliver impact across the UK economy, enabling businesses to thrive in global markets. The Catapult Network supports businesses in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services.
