The UK has unveiled a new Semiconductor Institute to support key components of the government’s Semiconductor Strategy.
It will bring together government, universities, and the private sector to support key components of the Semiconductor Strategy to grow the sector, which is backed by £1bn.
In the future, the Institute will be established as an independent organisation tasked with ensuring chip researchers have the tools and infrastructure needed to advance their work in these focus areas and convert their innovation into market-ready products.
Growing UK semiconductor innovation
As further international semiconductor agreements are made, the Institute will also act as a coordinated entry point for technology businesses and international partners who want to work with the UK semiconductor sector to boost innovation, research and commercialisation.
Technology Minister Saqib Bhatti explained: “Semiconductors underpin all the technology that keeps our economy moving.
“Our strategy set out that we would grow the sector and make it resilient by focussing on what the British chip sector does best.”
He added: “Building on the early success of the strategy, the UK Semiconductor Institute will unify the semiconductor sector to focus our talented researchers on securing our status at the cutting edge of semiconductor science.”
Building on a key focus of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel, the Institute will also bring the industry together to boost the specialist skills needed to help grow the sector.
This will build on £4.8m of backing for eleven skills programmes across the UK announced earlier this year.
Focusing on areas identified by the Strategy
Announced one year on from the launch of the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Institute will set its key focus areas in line with those it identified.
Since the launch of the Semiconductor Strategy, the government has launched ChipStart, a pilot incubator to help start-ups bring new products to market.
The UK has also secured access to Horizon Europe’s €1.3bn Chips Joint Undertaking and ensured that the UK Infrastructure Bank can invest its £22bn of financial capacity in semiconductor manufacturers.
After extensive industry engagement, the creation of the UK Semiconductor Institute is a major step towards implementing the UK Semiconductor Infrastructure Initiative, which was announced in the National Semiconductor Strategy in 2023.
“I believe the creation of the Semiconductor Institute is a very positive step in advancing the UK Semiconductor Strategy,” said Jalal Bagherli, co-chair of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel.
“The institute concept featured strongly in the IFM consultative study, and it is seen as an effective way to create long-term momentum for our industry, help in engaging international partners and attracting investment in the sector.”
