Making Texas the world’s most powerful hub for semiconductor innovation

Semiconductors are essential to the technologies we use every day, yet over 80% of these critical components are made overseas. To secure a sustainable supply of high-quality semiconductors, The University of Texas System and its institutions are spearheading a collaborative, statewide effort to make Texas the world’s most powerful hub for semiconductor innovation and production.

At the heart of this effort is the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), a consortium led by UT Austin, which was recently awarded $840 million by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency to develop the next generation of high-performing semiconductor microsystems for the Department of Defense.. TIE brings together state and local governments, leading semiconductor and defense electronics companies, national labs and top academic institutions. Its mission is to establish a nationally recognized center for excellence in 3D heterogeneous integration (HI) technology, develop pilot fabrication facilities and enhance semiconductor workforce development. Since its inception in 2021, TIE has made significant strides, bolstered by strategic partnerships with industry giants like Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ), Applied Materials , Intel Corporation and Micron Technology .

A critical aspect of this initiative is workforce development. The UT System is uniquely positioned to translate research and discovery directly into industry applications and training programs. Collaborations with The University of Texas at Austin , The University of Texas at Dallas , Texas A&M University , Dallas College and Austin Community College are expanding the talent pipeline from education to the workforce. Partnerships with industry ensure that graduates have access to high-quality jobs within Texas.

Texas is primed to lead the nation and the world in semiconductor innovation. Our state boasts unparalleled infrastructure, from new and renovated university fabrication facilities to Austin’s Samsung foundry. With robust research and development capabilities, Texas stands at the forefront of semiconductor technology.

The Texas Legislature has shown strong support, allocating $698 million to the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund and another $552 million specifically invested for TIE, driving our ecosystem of technological innovation forward. By bridging training and discovery with industry collaboration, UT and its partners are setting a national standard for revitalizing America’s chip-making potential, ensuring technological independence and reliability.