Dubbed an NSF FAST Engine in Oregon, the effort is one of 12 NSF Regional Innovation Engines announced nationwide. These awards aim to build and scale innovation clusters across 20 states, accelerating critical technologies while boosting regional economic growth and reinforcing U.S. leadership in science and technology.

The NSF Engine model starts with initial funding of $15 million over two years for each team. If milestones are met, additional funding can raise total support to as much as $160 million. FAST will therefore operate on measurable progress targets that connect applied research to practical semiconductor development.

In Oregon, FAST arrives at a moment when semiconductor demand is accelerating across artificial intelligence, electrification, and national security. With chips increasingly integrated into everyday devices, the technology stack—from AI-driven design workflows to manufacturing performance—needs faster iteration and more reliable translation from lab prototypes to production-ready chips.

FAST’s strategy centers on three priorities that target both technical bottlenecks and commercialization barriers. First, it will build a feedback loop to identify semiconductor-industry innovation needs and move use-inspired research into real-world practice. This includes translating research outcomes into testable design-and-fabrication steps.

Second, FAST will re-align the ecosystem to reduce startup risk and accelerate company formation and scaling. The goal is to create a pipeline that connects entrepreneurs, semiconductor firms, and investors, enabling faster progress from concept to prototyping and validation.

Third, the program will create career pathways to sustain talent for an AI skills-dependent industry. By coordinating education and workforce development across sectors, FAST aims to broaden the talent supply feeding semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing roles.

Oregon State’s role as administrative home positions FAST to convene industry, academic, and government stakeholders around common technical objectives. FAST is also expected to expand opportunities for small businesses and startups to participate in research and development that maintains U.S. competitiveness.

FAST also reflects Oregon’s long-running investment in semiconductor innovation. The consortium launched in 2022, received early NSF Engines support in 2023, and reached the full proposal stage in 2024—leading to today’s major award and a renewed push for design-to-fabrication excellence.

Subject of Research: Semiconductors and semiconductor innovation ecosystems
Article Title: NSF Awards Oregon State-Led FAST Up to $160 Million to Grow Semiconductor Manufacturing and Workforce
News Publication Date:
Web References: https://fast-engine.org/ ; https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-awards-12-new-regional-innovation-engines-fuel-research
References: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines/about-nsf-engines ; https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/semiconductors-etching-the-new-map-of-strategic-supply
Image Credits: Karl Maasdam

Keywords: semiconductor ecosystem, NSF Engines, AI-assisted chip design, startup acceleration, workforce development, Oregon State University, fabrication, electronics