The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub have awarded $10,174,823 to 10 microelectronics projects through its Supporting Chip Advancement from Lab to Enterprise (SCALE) Capital Programme.
The SCALE Capital awards will fund the purchase of capital equipment to support workforce and technology development at higher education institutions, companies, and nonprofit organisations.
The programme builds on NEMC’s mission to rapidly accelerate microelectronics ecosystem development by supporting projects that unite the microelectronics community, develop technologies to attract additional investment, and boost workforce development programmes to fill regional gaps.
“The SCALE Capital Programme is a strategic investment in the future of Massachusetts’ microelectronics industry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts is focused on bridging the gap between development and commercialisation so that microelectronics companies based here can better compete globally. That starts with providing the equipment to advance projects and supporting training for new entrants in the industry.”
“Massachusetts is taking a statewide approach to innovation and providing support to the most advanced research institutions and technology companies in the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This programme will increase opportunities in the microelectronics industry and the chance for breakthroughs that will grow our economy.”
Governor Healey announced the funding at a Defence Sector Convening at the Massachusetts State House on Monday, 27th October. Attendees included academic leaders, statewide officials, representatives from military installations, SCALE Capital awardees, and NEMC defence and commercial industry partners. The event reflected the strategic importance of microelectronics innovation to both economic and national security that is being led through NEMC and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
“Microelectronics are the foundation of so many industries that power our daily lives, from defence and life sciences to advanced manufacturing and AI,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Through these SCALE Capital investments, we’re strengthening Massachusetts’ leadership in innovation, reducing supply chain costs, and creating new opportunities for students, workers, and companies across Massachusetts.”
“With $10 million in funding, SCALE Capital is further delivering on NEMC’s mission to advance the lab-to-fab transition of critical microelectronics in the region,” said NEMC Hub Director Mark Halfman. “These investments will enable engineers, researchers, and students to leverage state-of-the-art equipment to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products in applications including AI hardware, quantum computing and nanotechnology.”
The SCALE awards will fund transformative projects at academic and research institutions across Massachusetts. The recipients are:
- Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield – $202,200. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following workforce development project: “Electron Microscopy System for Workforce Microelectronics Training Programme”
- Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater – $1,116,107. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following workforce development project: “VISPACK: A Shared-Use Facility for Visible Photonics Testing and Packaging to Accelerate Workforce and Innovation in the Commonwealth”
- The Centre for Nanoscale Systems at Harvard University, Cambridge – $627,360. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following ecosystem development project: “Photo Induced Force Microscopy (PiFM): Nanoscale Spectral Characterisation of Electronic Materials, Devices, and Systems”
- The Centre for Nanoscale Systems at Harvard University, Cambridge – $1,396,062. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following technology development project: “Thermal Laser Epitaxy (TLE) System for Synthesising Novel Thin Film Quantum Materials”
- imec USA, Cambridge – $560,042. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following technology development project: “Collaborative Hub for Integrated Prototyping in Health Electronics (CHIP-Health)”
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington – $3,900,000. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following ecosystem development project: “A High-Efficiency RF and 2D Materials Lab Fuelling the Northeast Microelectronics Ecosystem”
- The MITRE Corporation, Bedford – $419,957. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following ecosystem development project: “Advanced Collaborative Research Lab for Quantum and Semiconductor-based Photonics and Optical Technologies (Q-SPOT)”
- North Shore Community College, Danvers – $1,363,761. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following workforce development project: “Workforce Pathway and Lab for Semiconductor Processing and Semiconductor Equipment Technicians”
- Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford – $353,105. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following ecosystem development project: “High-Resolution X-Ray Diffraction Measurement System for Structural Analysis of Electronic Materials”
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester – $236,226. The grant will fund capital equipment for the following technology development project: “SAIL: Securing AI Chips and Intelligent Design Automation for Trusted Hardware”
Each recipient will use their funding to acquire specialised equipment that enhances capacity for workforce development, technology advancement, and stronger ecosystem connectivity.
