INL hosts Info Session dedicated to the Chips JU 2024 funding opportunities

INL partnered up with the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Agency of Innovation (ANI) to promote an Information Session dedicated to the European Partnership Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU).

The event delved into the funding opportunities available under the initiative that acts as an instrumental central force in the implementation of the European Chips Act mission – a framework designed to strengthen the continent’s competitiveness and resilience in semiconductor technologies.

Opening the session, the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato, assured that Portugal is deeply committed to contributing to the joint resilience of the European Union, having established a National Strategy for Semiconductors with strategic lines of action in innovative areas. According to the Minister, the endeavour aims at improving not only the infrastructure, facilities, laboratories, and organisation of chip manufacturing but also in terms of talent capabilities, qualification, and retention – one of the global challenges in this sector.

The event counted with the presence of Anton Chichkov, Chips JU Programme Officer, who explored the joint undertaking work plan, introducing the calls available for 2024, and presenting the Pilot Lines and Competence Centres foreseen for this initiative, as well as the Design Platform – a cloud-based open virtual environment.

The programme also featured a presentation by FCT and ANI on the national co-funding mechanisms available.

The event brought together experts, academia, and industry to explore the joint European effort towards strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem and highlighted the concerted action led by Portugal as a participating state of the Chips JU.

The President of FCT, Madalena Alves, closed the event by encouraging research technology centres and industry to boost participation in the next upcoming calls and to help shape the framework at the national level, building trust with partners and stakeholders to cover the entire value chain in a holistic and targeted approach.

Text by Mariam Debs and Inês Costa.
Photography by Patrícia Barroso.