The U.S. Department of Commerce and Natcast have announced the Arizona State University (ASU) Research Park in Tempe, Arizona, as the site for the third flagship CHIPS for America R&D facility. This state-of-the-art facility will house the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility (PPF), which aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology.
The PPF will feature advanced 300mm front-end semiconductor manufacturing and packaging R&D capabilities, addressing critical gaps in the semiconductor innovation pipeline. Construction is expected to begin soon, with operations anticipated by late 2028. The facility is projected to generate hundreds of new jobs and catalyze significant advancements in semiconductor R&D.
Addressing Semiconductor Industry Challenges

Scaling semiconductor technologies from research to production remains a key industry challenge. Barriers such as limited 300mm wafer prototyping capabilities and insufficient shared infrastructure, skilled resources, and funding hinder progress. To bridge these gaps, CHIPS for America is investing in integrated R&D activities to support the lab-to-fab innovation cycle. The PPF will offer:
- 300mm CMOS Technology Baseline: Prototyping capabilities for novel materials and device architectures.
- Advanced Packaging Pilot Lines: Facilities to commercialize innovative packaging solutions.
- Collaborative R&D Opportunities: A shared environment for researchers across the semiconductor value chain, including startups, manufacturers, and academic institutions.
“The PPF will play a critical role in advancing semiconductor innovation across the country,” said Deirdre Hanford, Natcast CEO. “This facility will be a premier destination where researchers from industry, academia, startups, and the broader semiconductor ecosystem will convene to explore, experiment, and collaborate on the next generation of semiconductor and packaging technologies that will power the industries of the future.”
ASU’s Role and Resources
As the host institution, ASU brings a robust infrastructure and proven leadership in semiconductor research and workforce development. With a $992 million research portfolio in 2024, ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering—the largest engineering school in the U.S. with over 33,000 students and 600 faculty—will play a pivotal role in supporting the facility through Core Research Facilities and state-of-the-art labs. Key contributions include:
- MacroTechnology Works Facility: A 250,000-square-foot space with a 49,000-square-foot cleanroom and specialized tools for R&D, prototyping, and semiconductor manufacturing.
- Cutting-Edge Resources: Facilities like NanoFab and the Advanced Electronics and Photonics Lab for prototyping advanced technologies.
- Workforce Development Initiatives: Commitments to faculty hiring, training programs, and new educational technologies for semiconductor training.
The building’s capabilities include a $270 million collaboration between ASU and Applied Materials, supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority. These initiatives position ASU as a central hub for semiconductor R&D and workforce development.
ASU President Michael Crow put the state’s win in context, saying, “This is the largest of three CHIPS R&D flagship facilities being launched that together represent the greatest national laboratory investments since those that came out of the Manhattan Project. The CHIPS R&D project will create a national lab that will be the final piece in a semiconductor supply chain that serves the nation with research and development, manufacturing, and workforce development all right here in Arizona. You’ll have all three things together in the same place to help the nation; Arizona will be the hub nationally — and ASU is at the center of the hub.”
Crow then added, “This work is essential to U.S. economic stability, defense security, and it begins with building new expanded national hubs for advanced training, technology development, radiance research, advanced manufacturing and advanced systems integration,” Crow said. “Now, all of these are now concentrated in Arizona.”
Driving Workforce Development
In alignment with CHIPS for America’s priorities, the PPF will also focus on workforce development, offering hands-on training opportunities with industry-leading tools and equipment. The initiative is expected to drive faculty hiring, create new learning technologies for semiconductor education, and provide students with pathways into high-demand careers.
Sally Morton, executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise, emphasized the project’s broader impact: “ASU is poised for this opportunity and shares in this win with many partners and other leaders in the state of Arizona. This new national lab will play a critical role for the country, and ASU is well-equipped to contribute to and enhance the long-term success of this important national asset.”
Building Semiconductor Innovation Hubs
The PPF will complement two previously announced CHIPS R&D flagship facilities: the EUV Accelerator and the Design and Collaboration Facility. Together, these facilities aim to establish the U.S. as a global leader in semiconductor innovation. Arizona’s vibrant microelectronics landscape, bolstered by partnerships with industry leaders and a strong academic foundation, will amplify the impact of this facility.
Tim Olson, CEO of Deca Technologies, praised the project’s potential: “This once-in-a-generation investment will boost the entire semiconductor industry with powerful capabilities to further develop and scale new technologies,” Olson said. “Deca and ASU have already established a broad-ranging cooperation centered on advanced packaging. With the new pilot facility investment in Arizona, we’ll no doubt see an influx of private-sector investments and collaborations, new partnerships, and exciting new ideas that will accelerate America’s efforts to regain preeminence in the highly competitive global semiconductor industry.”
About Natcast
Natcast is a purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). Established by the CHIPS and Science Act, the NSTC is a public-private consortium dedicated to advancing semiconductor R&D in the United States. It convenes industry, academia, and government stakeholders to overcome barriers to technological progress, with a focus on workforce development and innovation. Learn more at natcast.org.
About CHIPS for America
CHIPS for America, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, supports U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research and development to drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation. To date, the program has allocated over $25 billion of its $36 billion in incentives funding, spanning 21 states and expected to create more than 125,000 jobs. Since its inception, semiconductor and electronics companies have announced over $450 billion in private investments, catalyzed in large part by public funding. CHIPS for America includes both the CHIPS Program Office for manufacturing incentives and the CHIPS Research and Development Office, focused on R&D programs. For more information, visit CHIPS for America.
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Arizona State University
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