Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity.

Program Summary听

The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act aims to revitalize microelectronics research, design, and manufacturing by providing funding for education and workforce development, particularly to address the anticipated shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry. 听The purpose of this solicitation is to select an operator for the National Network Coordination Hub (referred to herein as the 鈥淗ub鈥�) that will manage the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME). The NNME will serve as a coalition of regional programs and centers that will develop and catalyze new and existing efforts to prepare individuals for roles in the microelectronics workforce. The Hub will be responsible for establishing, growing, operating, coordinating, and managing the NNME with sufficient geographical extent and operational capacity to fulfill the U.S. microelectronics workforce needs.听

See the for full details.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST October 13, 2024

Sponsor Deadline: 2:00pm MST October 28, 2024

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Description (3 pages maximum): Please include: 1) the organization鈥檚 vision for the NNME and the Hub, and role in leading it; 2) the organization鈥檚 operational, entrepreneurial, and creative capacity and how it aligns with the needs of the Hub and NNME broadly; 3) a description and timeline for the activities the organization (or team, if applicable) will undertake during the award period of performance including how your organization will achieve the minimum required activities and other activities that will be undertaken; and 4) details of the organization鈥檚 ability to ensure that all Americans, regardless of background, will have an opportunity to participate in all aspects of the Hub and NNME.听
  • PI Curriculum Vitae
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

The lead organization must be an institution of higher education or non-profit organization or a consortium (group) of such institutions and organizations (42 U.S.C. 搂 18997(a)(1)). A lead organization may only submit one proposal in response to this solicitation and may not appear as a subawardee on any additional proposals. Eligible organizations that do not submit proposals as lead organizations may, however, be included as subawardees and/or consortium members on multiple proposals.听

Each lead organization is required to identify a Hub Program Manager and any other senior/key personnel.听

Limited Submission Guidelines

A lead organization may only submit one proposal in response to this solicitation and may not appear as a subawardee on any additional proposals.

Award Information

  • Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
  • Award Amount: $30M
  • Award Duration: 6 years

Review Criteria

The internal evaluation process will follow the solicitation鈥檚 criteria below for written proposals. Please note 鈥淥rganizational Experience鈥� will be weighted more heavily than 鈥淯nderstanding of the Challenges and Proposed Approach.鈥澨�

  • Criteria One: Organizational Experience
  • Criteria Two: Understanding of the Challenges and Proposed Approach