In a major move to strengthen the Northeast's tech industry, the Healey-Driscoll administration has announced $9.2 million in grants to enhance microelectronics capabilities. During a meeting with defense officials and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll revealed the funding, which marks the first investment by the newly established Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub. According to a press release obtained by the Massachusetts Government website, this effort is backed by the CHIPS and Science Act.
With $7.7 million earmarked for MIT, in collaboration with Applied Materials, the grant aims to develop advanced nano-fabrication tools at the university's MIT.Nano research center. This effort, which includes an estimated $40 million in combined public and private investment, will help bridge the lab-to-fab gap for startups and support research crucial to defense and other tech-related fields. Governor Healey told the press, “The investment in this R&D infrastructure will open doors to students, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the region.” Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll emphasized the grants' role in expanding vocational pathways saying, "These grants focused on expanding our workforce will teach more students that you do not need a four-year degree to excel in this sector."
The funding also covers various education and workforce development programs totaling $1.5 million, intended to bolster the region's pool of trained workers in the microelectronics field. Among the recipients are MITRE, with an award of $750,000 for expanding their Embedded Capture-the-Flag competition, and Headlamp, receiving $250,000 to help veterans transition into the semiconductor industry. MIT was awarded $75,000 to grow the Northeast Microelectronics Summer Internship Program, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's educational initiative "Makers of a Better Future" garnered $400,000 to reach more high school students.
These developments are part of the broader strategic goals set out by the Microelectronics Commons program, which received a substantial $19.7 million federal award in September 2023. The partnership between government, academia, and the private sector has seen the NEMC Hub grow significantly, from 90 to now 160 members representing diverse organizations. As stated by MIT’s President Sally Kornbluth, "With this new investment by NEMC and Applied Materials, we have an incredible opportunity to supercharge MIT.nano." Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, also highlighted the alignment between these sectors as a strong foundation for the semiconductor and microelectronics growth in the Northeast.
The NEMC Hub is poised to play a pivotal role in revitalizing U.S. leadership in key industries thanks to the latest federal funding, and Massachusetts leaders are recognizing the act's impact on their region's competitiveness in the technology sector. Congressman Seth Moulton praised the initiative brought forth by the CHIPS and Science Act, lauding its implication in creating jobs and optimizing the country's technological sovereignty. Congresswoman Lori Trahan echoed this sentiment, focusing on the technological advancements and economic opportunities spurred by the act, saying, “This is exactly why Massachusetts competed so hard to win the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub.”
