NSF Awards FAST Consortium Up to $160 Million for Semiconductors

The National Science Foundation awarded up to $160 million over ten years to the Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), an Oregon-based consortium led by Oregon State University. The funding begins with an initial $15 million grant, with further disbursements dependent on progress. FAST is one of 12 NSF Regional Innovation Engines established to accelerate technology development and regional economic growth.

The consortium, comprising nearly 100 partners, will focus on AI-driven chip design, de-risking startups, and creating career pathways for students. This federal investment follows a University of Oregon report warning that the state risks losing global relevance after Intel, the region's largest semiconductor employer, announced more than 3,000 layoffs last year. The grant complements the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act and Oregon's SB 4 legislation, which provided up to $240 million to attract semiconductor plants.

Governor Tina Kotek and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden stated the funding will sustain the "Silicon Forest," an industry that exported $11.4 billion in computer products in 2025. Kotek noted the award affirms the state's commitment to investing in talent and research, while Wyden emphasized its potential to spark growth for a workforce that already includes 30,000 Oregonians. Oregon State University President Jayathi Murthy described the award as generational.