In order to address immediate technology challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and labor shortages, Intel announced details of a $100 million investment over the next decade to advance semiconductor manufacturing education and research collaborations with universities, community colleges, and technical educators all the United States. Intel will invest $50 million directly in Ohio University. Another $50 million from Intel was matched with $50 million from the US. National Science Foundation increases state funding opportunities. Intel’s education funding comes as part of the company’s recent announcement that it will invest more than $20 billion to build two new, state-of-the-art chip factories in Ohio.
Investing in U.S. education and workforce development will provide a major boost amid a nationwide shortage of technical skills. Through this investment, Intel will establish a comprehensive partnership program with higher education institutions to accelerate readiness and enhance the workforce required to operate new semiconductor manufacturing facilities and ecosystem partners. These investments will provide resources for the creation of new associate and undergraduate degree programs, certification, teacher training, reskilling and upskilling programs for existing workforces, laboratory equipment upgrades, and research to support innovation in semiconductor manufacturing.
Intel intends to provide $50 million in grants in Ohio over the next 10 years. Part of this investment will establish the Intel® Semiconductor Education and Research Program in Ohio to fund a collaborative, cross-institutional research and education program that will focus on gaining hands-on experience and innovation in semiconductor manufacturing. Intel will accept proposals from academic researchers, technology centers, teachers and educators in Ohio to address new research in curriculum development, teacher training, laboratory equipment upgrades, promotion of semiconductor manufacturing and student opportunities, including internships.
Intel will partner with NSF on a nationally funded program. NSF will match Intel’s $50 million investment and provide a $100 million financing opportunity. NSF will initiate a national call for proposals from researchers and educators to develop curricula that enhance STEM education at two-year colleges and four-year colleges, including institutions serving minorities and promoting new innovations in semiconductor design and semiconductor manufacturing. Research.
Through NSF and Intel’s shared interests in supporting openness, pre-competitive research, and educational advancement in semiconductor design and manufacturing, the partnership will provide award recipients with at least $5 million in grants annually over 10 years. Funding opportunities will enable collaborations between researchers and educators to provide insights for advancing the relationship between academic research and early higher education, laying the foundation for implementing technological solutions, and developing the semiconductor workforce of the future.
This is one of Intel’s many educational programs. This month, Intel announced a new fast-start semiconductor manufacturing program in partnership with Community College in Maricopa, Arizona. Quick Start is an accelerated two-week program that prepares students for a rewarding career as a semiconductor engineer by gaining hands-on learning from industry-experienced Intel employees as instructors.
Intel’s first two factories in Ohio are expected to create 3,000 high-tech jobs and 7,000 construction jobs, and support tens of thousands of additional long-term jobs across a broad ecosystem of suppliers and partners. Intel’s investment in partnerships with educational institutions and NSF is part of the company’s efforts to build a pipeline of qualified talent and strengthen research initiatives in the region and across the United States.
