Overview
The aim of this competition is to encourage exploration of feasibility for innovative ideas with the potential to advance semiconductor hardware that can contribute to the global competitiveness of the UK in the critical technologies.
Scope
Your project must comprehensively address the feasibility of an advancement in hardware design or fabrication that has the potential to significantly impact the effectiveness of UK businesses operating in one or more of the critical technology areas. Output should include technical and commercial feasibility and identify potential barriers to achieving traction in the market as well as the opportunities.
Specific themes
Your project can focus on one or more of the following:
- Novel semiconductor materials or designs, or both
- Semiconductor fabrication techniques
- Manufacturing equipment innovation
- Multi-technology integration or interfacing
- Novel packaging materials and techniques
- Advanced packaging
- Thermal management
- Front end of line processes
- Back end of line processes
- In line and end of line test
- Development of Process Design Kits (PDKs)
This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Project duration
Up to 6 months
Projects must start by 1 September and end by 28 February 2026
Award value
Total grant funding request between £75,000 - £300,000
Funding rates
You can get funding for your eligible project costs of:
- up to 70% if you are a micro or small organisation
- up to 60% if you are a medium sized organisation
- up to 50% if you are a large organisation
Research organisations can share up to 30% of the total eligible project costs
Eligibility criteria
Projects must be lead by a UK registered business of any size and include at least one SME
Collaborators can be a UK registered business of any size; academic institution; charity; not for profit; public sector organisation; research and technology organisation (RTO)
Subcontractors are permitted, preferably UK-based, with fully justified and appropriate costs
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