CIIP to contribute to UK government study to help boost semiconductor sector

Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy is part of the IfM Engage consortium commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) to explore the technical and economic feasibility of developing infrastructure to support the development of the UK semiconductor sector.

Semiconductor technology underpins the modern economy and is vital to UK prosperity and national security. The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) has been leading on a review of the sector and the development of a National Semiconductor Strategy to increase the resilience of the UK supply chain and generate innovation-led economic growth.

To support the upcoming semiconductor strategy, IfM Engage, the knowledge transfer arm of the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, has been commissioned to explore the technical and economic feasibility of developing infrastructure to support commercial R&D and a strategic coordination function for the UK semiconductor sector. IfM Engage is supported by strong industrial and academic consortium partners including the CSA Catapult, Techworks NMI, Silicon Catalyst, Photonics Leadership Group, Cambridge Econometrics, Future Horizons, Semiwise, the University of Leeds, and researchers from Imperial College London.

The eight-month study will develop ideas to build on UK strengths in semiconductor design, compound semiconductors and next-generation technologies. Industrial evidence will be gathered to determine the feasibility and requirements of a new national initiative, aiming to bring the nation’s industry together to tackle shared challenges and help businesses scale up.

As part of the study, CIIP will conduct an international review of comparable innovation centres supporting the semiconductor value chain in the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, and the USA. The review will analyse and characterise their strategic approach, business models, and coordination functions across relevant value chains and economic sectors. Lessons will be drawn for the UK about strategy and coordination function design to inform the UK Semiconductor Infrastructure Initiative’s objectives and scope and potential delivery routes in the country.

Find out more about the semiconductor study. 

Consortium Partners
IfM Engage leads the project in collaboration with CSA Catapult, TechWorks NMI, Silicon Catalyst, Photonics Leadership Group, Cambridge Econometrics, Semiwise Ltd, Imperial Consultants, Future Horizons and the University of Leeds.