The U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program Office (CPO) issued its second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) targeted toward the semiconductor supply chain.
This NOFO will support smaller projects, which CPO defines as being under $300 million in total capital costs. Eligible applicants include those intending to use CHIPS funding to support the construction, expansion, or modernization of semiconductor materials and manufacturing equipment production capacity.
Applications will be evaluated using five criteria, the most significant of which is the economic and national security criterion, which encompasses three priorities: supply chain resilience; advancing U.S. technology leadership; and supporting vibrant U.S. fab clusters.
Projects will also be judged on commercial viability, financial strength, project technical feasibility and readiness, and workforce and community investments.
