A new, independent Semiconductor Institute will be brought together by the UK government to help support its £1 billion Semiconductor Strategy for growing the sector.

The aim for the Institute is to make sure that microchip researchers have the tools and infrastructure needed to drive their work forward, converting innovation into market-ready products.

It’s envisioned that the Institute will also act as a coordinated entry point for tech businesses and international partners who want to work with the UK semiconductor sector to boost innovation, research, and commercialisation.

The announcement of the Institute comes one year on from the launch of the Semiconductor Strategy, which was created in a bid to level-up the domestic microchip sector.

“Semiconductors underpin all the technology that keeps our economy moving,” said technology minister Saqib Bhatti. “Our strategy set out that we would grow the sector and make it resilient by focussing on what the British chip sector does best.

“Building on the early success of the strategy, the UK Semiconductor Institute will unify the semiconductor sector to focus our talented researchers on securing our status at the cutting edge of semiconductor science.

“This is a hugely significant milestone on our journey to becoming a science and tech superpower by 2030.”

There has been “extensive industry engagement” on the upcoming Semiconductor Institute, the government said.

It’s also a key recommendation in a report commissioned by DSIT from the Institute for Manufacturing, and has the support of the UK’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel.

Julian David, CEO of trade association techUK, commented: “The establishment of a UK Semiconductor Institute is welcomed by techUK and other members of the Chips Coalition, including Global Tech Advocates and TechWorks.

“We have worked with the UK government to develop the National Semiconductor Strategy and we look forward to turning that strategy into action.

“We are confident that this Institute will serve as an authoritative and empowered body.

“By bringing together government, universities and the private sector, the Institute will be pivotal in advancing R&D, skills development, and fostering international collaboration.

“This collaboration will secure a robust and innovative future for the UK’s semiconductor landscape.”

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Since the launch of the Semiconductor Strategy this time last year, the government has launched ChipStart, a pilot incubator for startups helping to bring new products to the market.

It also invested £22 million in two “Innovation and Knowledge Centres” in Bristol and Southampton to help bring UK chip technologies to the global market.

Further, access was secured to Horizon Europe’s €1.3 billion Chips Joint Undertaking, and made sure the UK Infrastructure Bank can invest its £22 billion of financial capacity into semiconductor manufacturers.