Massachusetts Wins $22.5 Million Federal Award for Regional Microelectronics Sector Innovation

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition’s (NEMC) $22,512,840 award to continue its work supporting the regional microelectronics sector and accelerating critical microelectronics innovation. 

NEMC, a Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) division and one of eight hubs within the Microelectronics Commons executed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), was awarded four of the 26 Microelectronics Commons projects announced by the U.S. Dept. of War. 

This new award follows on NEMC's receipt of $37.8 million in federal funding in September 2024 under the Microelectronics Commons program. 

"Today’s announcement builds on the momentum Massachusetts is creating in microelectronics technologies and advanced manufacturing and reflects the strength of our innovation economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through the NEMC Hub, we are bringing together universities, companies, and federal partners to advance cutting-edge research, strengthen our national security, create jobs, and deliver lasting benefits for communities across the state.” 

“This award is a powerful endorsement of the talent and manufacturing capacity of Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  “We are grateful to our federal partners for this continued investment, which will help drive breakthroughs that support our military and grow our economy.” 

“This award reinforces Massachusetts’ role as a national leader in microelectronics innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “NEMC is advancing critical research and supporting defense capabilities while building the regional ecosystem that will power the next generation of technology and job creation.”  

NEMC's award will be focused on the organization’s continued acceleration of the “lab-to-fab" transition of microelectronics technologies in the Northeast. 

"From 5G- and 6G-technology, to cutting-edge, high-power electronics and AI hardware, these follow-on awards recognize the successful development of long-standing innovation within the NEMC ecosystem,” said NEMC Director Mark Halfman. “Our members will use these funds to continue to accelerate the lab-to-fab transition of critical microelectronics technologies for the benefit of the nation.” 

“Recognition of the NEMC Hub, and the ground-breaking innovations of its 300-plus members, in the form of these year-two awards emphasizes the breadth and depth of this organization,” said MassTech Deputy Director and Chief Investment Strategist Ben Linville-Engler. “I look forward to the breakthroughs and industry-wide growth made possible by these funds not only here in Massachusetts, but across the region.” 

Each of the collaborative projects awarded are comprised of the NEMC Hub, a Hub member organization project technical lead, and multiple other Hub member organizations from across the Northeast region and the nation. 

See Full Award Details