MIMIT opens a call on IPCEI for AI and semiconductors
The Ministry for Industry and Made In Italy bhas opened expressions of interest for the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) on Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors. Eligibility requirements include projects that are highly innovative, contribute to EU objectives, are resilient to potential market failures, and are open to international integration. Interested parties may submit an expression of interest by January 30, 2026, following the instructions on the MIMIT website for the two respective IPCEIs.Announcement
Farewell to Pasquale Pistorio, the visionary who made STM into a global leader.
Pasquale Pistorio, the Sicilian engineer who was a key figure in the European technology industry, has passed away at the age of 89. After a brilliant career at Motorola, he moved to lead SGS, overseeing its merger with Thomson to form STMicroelectronics. Under his leadership, STMicroelectronics became one of the world's leading semiconductor companies. At the European level, he was involved in the establishment of the European Technology Platform for Nanoelectronics (ENIAC, now AENEAS) and in the launch of the Joint Undertaking for Nanoelectronics.In the news
ICOS survey on International Cooperation
ICOS is a project funded by the European Commission to assist in defining topics and measures for cooperation with other leading semiconductor regions. ICOS invites you to participate in a survey on international R&D collaboration in semiconductor technologies. The goal of our survey is to identify opportunities and requirements for collaboration between your organisation and potential partners in non-European countries, particularly in Canada, China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the USA. Topics for R&D collaborations can include anything in the microelectronics value chain.Link to survey
Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Chips-It Foundation for the Bologna Dama-Tecnopolo
The Dama-Tecnopolo in Bologna opens its doors to research and design in the field of microchips. This strategic activity will be made possible thanks to the memorandum of understanding that will be signed on September 9th in Bologna by the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Chips-It Foundation, a research and technology organization focused on the development of semiconductor integrated circuits.Press release
Public consultation and call for evidence on the evaluation and review of the Chips Act
The Commission launches a public consultation and call for evidence on the evaluation and review of the Chips Act. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the current functioning of the Chips Act and on possible future adaptations to ensure the Act remains fit for purpose in light of changing market, technological and geopolitical realities.Link to consultation
A funding of 41,5 MEuro has been approved to Ephos for a photonic chip fab in Milano
The European Commission, in line with the objectives of the European Chips Act, has approved €41.5 million in state aid for Ephos S.r.l., an Italian startup, to build a plant dedicated to the production of photonic chips on glass wafers in the Milan area. The project will be financed by MIMIT through the National Fund for Microelectronics.Comunicato
Semiconductor industry asks for "Chips Act 2.0"
Computer chip makers and semiconductor supply firms chain, associated in ESIA and SEMI, called on the European Commission to launch a follow up to the 2023 Chips Act on Wednesday, this time focusing on chip design, materials and equipment, in addition to manufacturing. Among more than a dozen firms represented at the meeting were chipmakers NXP, STMicroelectronics, Infineon and Bosch, equipment makers ASML and ASM International, Zeiss and Air Liquide.Press release
European countries agree to strengthen position in semiconductor industry
At the initiative of minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs of The Netherlands, nine countries have established the Semicon Coalition in Brussels today. The responsible ministers of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and The Netherlands have agreed to strengthen the European semiconductor industry. Objectives of the Semicon Coalition are expanding production capacity within the EU and further strengthening Europe’s current key leading positions within the global semiconductor value chain.Common statement
The european funding for the 2025 calls of Chips JU
The amount of the european funding available for the 2025 calls of the Chips JU has been published. Funding for the non initiative part of the program, that is for open projects, is divided between RIA and IA, and includes also three Focus Topics for IA and one CSA for the cooperation with Japan. The table of funding is given hereMore information on the full program is available on the site of Chips JU at the link below.
Link to the full program
Japan unveils its Chips Act
The Japanese government has announced a plan to invest approximately $65 billion to support the country's semiconductor and AI industries within 2030. According to the government, the initiative is expected to generate $325bn in public and private investment in the next 10 years.Announcement in the web
Four new public reports released by ICOS
ICOS has released four new public reports.- International cooperation in the semiconductor field
- Economic analysis of the EU and international semiconductor ecosystem
- Futures Technologies for Advanced Functionality
- Futures Technologies for Advanced Computation
First EU-India Joint Researchers Workshop in Bruxelles
The First EU-India Joint Researchers Workshop has been successfully held on October 9th in Bruxelles. It has been co-organized by the European Commission and by the ICOS project. Presentations are available onlineAccess to presentations
Intel announces the stop in new fabs in Europe
In a message to employees regarding the next phase of Intel's transformation, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced, among other initiatives, "We will pause our projects in Poland and Germany by approximately two years based on anticipated market demand.", thus putting a stop to the new planned fabs, which were to be partially funded by the German and Polish Governments.Intel announcement
Selected the new Director of Fondazione Chip IT
Starting from August 1st 2024, Dr Carlo Reita, has been mominated Director of Fondazione Chip IT. Dr. Carlo Reita graduated at the La Sapienza University in Roma. He had a long and briliant career at the CEA-LETI in Grenoble, where he became Director for Strategic Partnersip and Planning. Afterwards he moved to CEA to become Director of development of research and innovation alliances, Technology Research Division, before applying for the call of Fondazione Chips IT. Decreto
Officially launched the consortium for the Italian Pilot Line
On July 30, at the CNR headquarters in Rome, the consortium was officially established that will be responsible for the creation, in the Catania area, of a Pilot Line for power microelectronics, within the framework of the Pilot Lines program of the Chips JU. The pilot line aims to develop innovative applications in the field of electric mobility and telecommunications.Comunicato
APRE opens a new portal “Verso FP10”.
The new portal by APRE is devoted to the build up of the new R&I Framework Program FP10.Announcement
STMicroelectronics announces a new SiC manufacturing facility in Catania
STMicroelectronics announces a new high-volume 200mm SiC manufacturing facility for power devices and modules, as well as test and packaging, to be built in Catania, Italy. Combined with the SiC substrate manufacturing facility being readied on the same site, these facilities will form ST’s Silicon Carbide Campus, realizing the Company’s vision of a fully vertically integrated manufacturing facility for the mass production of SiC on one site.Press Release
Final list of the KDT JU 2023 proposals retained for funding
The decision of the Public Authority Board of the Chips JU with the final list of the proposals submitted for the calls 2023 2023 that have been retained for funding is now available on the web site of the Chips JU under “Approving the 3rd amendment of the selection of project proposals retained for funding”.Documents of the Chips JU
MIMIT opens the call for the funding of CHIPS JU 2024 projects.
On May 14, 2024, MIMIT has published the call "Sostegno all'elettronica innovativa (Chips JU)", which makes available €17M funding for the Italian participation to the calls 2024 of the Chips JU. Funding requests must be submitted to MIMIT within the deadline of the Chips JU full proposal (September 17, 2024 at 17:00).Info on the call
Silicon Box will invest 3.2bn Euro in a new fab in italy.
Adolfo Urso, the Italian Minister of Industry and Made in Italy, and Byung Joon (BJ) Han, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Box have announced the conclusion of an agreement worth 3.2 billion euros for a new production plant in Italy. The plant, the first of its kind in the European Union, qualifies as part of the Pillar 2 of the Chips Act. Silicon Box is a Singapore-based company specialized in chiplet integration, advanced packaging and testing technologies.Press release
The 4th Pilot Line approved by the Chips JU in Catania
With the funding decision dated April 11, 2024, the Public Authorities Board of the Chips JU has approved the proposal for a 4th Pilot Line, focusing on wide gap semiconductors, led by CNR Italy, and to be located in Catania. The total cost approved in in excess of 362 million Euro, half of which from national governments, and half from European funds.Press release
MIMIT opens a call for projects on semiconductors
With a decree dated April 11 2024 – Contratti di sviluppo. Apertura sportello semiconduttori - MIMIT defines the terms and methods of access to the resources of the Fund aimed at promoting research and development of microprocessor technology and investment in new industrial applications of innovative technologies to support the growth and technological development of the national semiconductor supply chain through the granting of financial incentives to companies provided for by the Development Contracts facilitation instrument.Annuncio
Opening of the call for the Director of Fondazione Chips.IT
The call has been opened for the selection of the director of the Fondazione Chips.IT. The deadline of the call is March the 18th. Text of the call and further details are available on the web site of the Fondazione.Details of the call
New department at MIMIT for Digital Industry
The MIMIT (the Italian Ministry for Industry) has been restructured in four main Departments, one of which is the Department for Digital Industry, Connectivity and new Technologies. At the head of the Department is Dr.Eva Spina. The Department includes two Directorates: Directorate for digital and telecommunications and Directorate for enabling technologies. The latter covers also Microelectronics and Photonics.Announcement
Launch Event of Fondazione Chips.IT
On November 3, 2023, at the University of Pavia has taken place the launch event of the Chips.it Foundation,the Italian center for the design of semiconductor integrated circuits. The mission of the Foundation is to strengthen the Italian capabilities in the design of integrated circuits, increase the professional formation in the field of Microelectronics, and establish a network of Universities, Research Centers and Industrial partners to support innovation and attract investments. Statutes have been defined and are under approval.Press release