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Oregon’s Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST) consortium has been selected as one of the United States National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines, unlocking an initial $15m award and the opportunity to secure up to $160m over the next decade.
The funding aims to accelerate innovation, workforce development and commercialisation across the semiconductor industry.
Administered by Oregon State University, FAST brings together nearly 100 partners spanning higher education, industry, government, investors and nonprofit organisations.
The initiative is designed to strengthen Oregon’s established semiconductor ecosystem while supporting new research, startup creation and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The award places Oregon among 12 NSF Regional Innovation Engines selected across 20 states. If FAST achieves key performance milestones during its initial two-year phase, it will become eligible for additional funding, helping expand regional economic growth while reinforcing US leadership in critical technologies.
Building on years of investment
FAST was established by Oregon State University in 2022 to unite organisations involved in semiconductor research, manufacturing and workforce development.
In 2023, the consortium received $1m through the NSF Engines development programme to establish its foundation before advancing to the full proposal stage in 2024.
The latest award represents the next phase of that strategy, providing resources to transform research into commercial technologies while expanding collaboration across Oregon’s technology sector.
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines programme was created to develop regional innovation clusters capable of advancing nationally important technologies.
Alongside the semiconductor industry, this year’s selected projects also focus on areas including quantum computing, energy grid security and critical minerals extraction.
Supporting innovation across the semiconductor industry
FAST intends to address several of the most significant challenges facing the semiconductor sector, particularly as global demand for advanced chips continues to increase.
Semiconductors are becoming increasingly essential for AI, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, communications systems and national security applications.
Industry forecasts suggest that worldwide investment in semiconductor technologies could approach $1tn by 2030, highlighting the need for stronger domestic research, manufacturing capacity and skilled talent.
Oregon has long been recognised as one of the United States’ leading semiconductor regions, with decades of investment from major technology companies and research institutions.
FAST aims to build on that foundation by strengthening links between academic research, commercial development and industrial production.
AI will also play an important role within the programme, supporting faster chip design, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing development timelines for next-generation semiconductor technologies.
Three priorities for long-term growth
The new funding will support three strategic areas designed to strengthen Oregon’s innovation ecosystem and increase the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry.
The first focuses on accelerating the transition of research into commercial applications by identifying technology needs within the industry and supporting use-inspired research that can be rapidly deployed.
A second priority centres on startup growth. FAST plans to reduce barriers for emerging companies by creating stronger connections among entrepreneurs, investors and established semiconductor businesses, helping innovative technologies move more quickly from the laboratory to the marketplace.
The third objective addresses workforce development. As AI and advanced manufacturing reshape semiconductor production, demand for specialised technical skills continues to rise.
FAST will develop education programmes and career pathways to prepare workers for future roles across the sector.
Strengthening partnerships across Oregon
A defining feature of FAST is its collaborative structure. The consortium combines expertise from universities, community colleges, technology companies, public agencies, nonprofit organisations and investment partners to create a coordinated approach to innovation.
The initiative is expected to support research institutions while creating new opportunities for startups, small businesses and manufacturers seeking to participate in advanced semiconductor development.
The programme also aligns with wider efforts to reinforce domestic semiconductor production and supply chains, supporting both economic development and long-term technological competitiveness in the United States.
By combining sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration and workforce development, the NSF-backed FAST Engine aims to expand Oregon’s role as a national centre for semiconductor innovation.
If performance targets are achieved over the coming years, the consortium could secure the full $160m investment, providing significant momentum for the state’s semiconductor industry and contributing to broader US leadership in advanced chip technologies.
