In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the European semiconductor ecosystem stands as a crucial pillar of progress. At the heart of this dynamic field lies the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), a pioneering initiative committed to catalysing research, development, and manufacturing capabilities across Europe. In this section, we delve into the key facets of Chips JU and its mission to shape the semiconductor future of the European Union. A Union of Resources Chips JU serves as a powerhouse for innovation, uniting resources from various quarters. It draws strength from the European Union itself, tapping into the vast potential of programs like Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme. Additionally, it collaborates with Member States and third countries associated with existing Union initiatives, and partners with the private sector. This pooling of resources creates a robust foundation for advancing semiconductor technologies. Strategic Vision Central to Chips JU's operation is a meticulously crafted Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. This forward-looking agenda equips Chips JU to tackle complex cross-border challenges with precision. It provides a roadmap for achieving ambitious goals that align with the European Union's long-term objectives, strategic policy priorities (including environmental goals like the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal), and global challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Driving Research and Innovation Chips JU's primary focus is on driving investment into cross-border research, development, and innovation infrastructures within the Union. This strategic investment paves the way for the development of semiconductor technologies across Europe. Importantly, the initiative creates a symbiotic relationship with Horizon Europe. The research and innovation actions supported by Horizon Europe lay the groundwork for new semiconductor technologies, which can then be adopted and deployed by the capacity-building activities supported by Chips JU. In turn, Chips JU's technology capacities are made accessible to the broader research and innovation community, including projects supported through Horizon Europe. A Dual Approach To appreciate the full scope of Chips JU's impact, it's essential to understand its two complementary programs:
- Digital Europe Programme: This program strengthens digital capacity in key domains where semiconductor technology plays a pivotal role. High-Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity are among the focal areas. It also emphasizes skills development and the deployment of digital innovation hubs. The Digital Europe Programme aligns closely with Chips JU's objectives, particularly through a new Specific Objective dedicated to semiconductor technologies.
- Horizon Europe: In the realm of semiconductors, Horizon Europe supports academically driven research, technology development, and innovation. This program provides the foundational research and innovation actions that form the basis for Chips JU's capacity-building efforts. It's a seamless partnership that drives progress in semiconductor technologies.
- the public authorities consisting of:
- the Union, represented by the Commission;
- the following participating states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden;
- the private members consist of three industrial associations: AENEAS, INSIDE and EPoSS.
- support research and development for establishing design and production capabilities in Europe for strategic application areas;
- launch a balanced portfolio of large and small projects supporting the fast transfer of technologies from the research to the industrial environment;
- foster a dynamic Union-wide ecosystem based on digital value chains with simplified access to newcomers;
- support research and development for enhance
- critical infrastructures and sectors in Europe;
- foster mobilisation of national resources and ensure coordination of Union and national research and innovation programmes in the field of electronic components and systems;
- stablish coherence between the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Chips Joint Undertaking inputs from other relevant stakeholders, including as appropriate, roadmaps produced by the Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor technologies and Union policies so that electronics components and systems technologies contribute efficiently.
- build up large-scale design capacities for integrated semiconductor technologies.
- enhance existing and develop new pilot lines.
- build advanced technology and engineering capacities for accelerating the development of quantum chips.
- establish a network of competence centres across Europe.
The governing board is the decision-making body of the joint undertaking. It has overall responsibility for the strategic orientation, coherence with relevant Union objectives and policies, and operations of that joint undertaking and supervises the implementation of its activities. Composition of the governing board reflects the tripartite character of the joint undertaking: commission, participating states and private members. Voting rights are equally distributed among the three parties, except for the adoption of the work programme that has a specific distribution (see Article 8bis of the rules of procedure). The governing board meets in Brussels three to five times a year. Decisions are adopted during meetings or through written procedures. The chairperson of the governing board is appointed on a rotating annual basis by the Union and by the other representatives, in turn.
The public authorities board contributes to the drafting of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda; it provides input to the draft work programme and approves the launch of calls for proposals. Then, it selects proposals receiving funding. The commission and the participating states equally share the voting rights
The private members board draws up the draft Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and organise an advisory Stakeholder Forum. It is composed of the three industrial associations: AENEAS, INSIDE and EPoSS.
The Executive Director is the chief executive responsible for the day-to-day management of the joint undertaking in accordance with the decisions of the governing board. He shall provide the governing board with all information necessary for the performance of its functions. The executive director is the legal representative of the joint undertaking. He is accountable to the governing board of the joint undertaking. In October 2023, a new executive director joined the Chips JU: Prof. Jari Kinaret.
