Representatives of the National Science Foundation visited Oregon State University’s Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute Dec. 1-2 to meet with members of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology, an OSU-led proposal with 95 regional partners. FAST is an NSF regional innovation engines program and is a finalist for $160 million in federal funding. The visit was part of NSF’s evaluation of programs competing for the investment.
FAST aims to expand workforce training, create thousands of high-wage jobs and harness artificial intelligence to advance semiconductor design, performance and manufacturing in Oregon. As the program leader, OSU faculty and administrators joined representatives from partner institutions to demonstrate Oregon’s leadership in semiconductor innovation to NSF representatives.
Because of the statewide importance of drawing funding for semiconductor research, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and State Senator Bruce Starr also attended the event.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to be a finalist for this award,” said Rob Stone, interim CEO and principal investigator for FAST. “It has been years of work by numerous people who are dedicated to growing the semiconductor sector in Oregon. I’m thankful for the support of the state and all of our partners who made it possible.”
“Already 15% of the country’s semiconductor workforce sits right here (in Oregon),” she said. “So, what you’ve got is a great ecosystem of partnerships that is positioned for us to build on and make stronger. It’s the companies; it’s the universities; it’s the state government; it’s the federal government; it’s our community partners. We are all committed to ensuring that the semiconductor industry here in Oregon and in the Pacific Northwest succeeds spectacularly.”
Skip Newberry, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Oregon — a FAST core partner, said semiconductor growth is an engine of the region’s economy.
“The reason why FAST and this effort in Oregon is important to the US and more globally is that semiconductors are incredibly important to our modern existence,” Newberry said. “The future of semiconductor innovation for the US starts here in Oregon. And the promise of FAST is to provide an accelerant of fuel to support new programs to really scale support for semiconductor companies.”
OSU’s FAST effort started in 2023 with an initial proposal to the NSF. In 2024, NSF selected it to advance to the full proposal stage. Since then, the consortium has expanded and begun addressing critical workforce development needs. Core partners include Intel, Siemens EDA, HP, Tektronix, Technology Association of Oregon, Business Oregon, Oregon Business Council, University of Oregon, Portland State University, Chemeketa Community College and Oregon STEM.
The NSF is expected to announce funding decisions in 2026.
By Theresa Hogue
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