NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine

The NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine is strengthening America's capacity to design, package, test and manufacture the semiconductor technologies that power modern life – from aerospace and defense systems to medical devices, communications and advanced computing.

Building on a growing regional ecosystem, the NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine unites manufacturers, universities, private companies and public sector partners to help move advanced semiconductor packaging technologies from lab to market at scale. These cross-sector collaborations are strengthening domestic supply chains, expanding advanced manufacturing capacity, and creating high-wage jobs across the state.

Region of service

Florida's advanced semiconductor ecosystem spans 23 counties from Tampa Bay through Orlando to the "space coast," where a growing network of research institutions, manufacturers and workforce programs are supporting expansion in semiconductor design, fabrication and packaging.

The NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine's region is home to 114 private companies focused on high-performance semiconductor development and packaging, representing the largest concentration of advanced packaging activity in the state's history. Combined with Florida's existing strengths in aerospace, defense, optics and photonics, this NSF Engine's region is becoming a national hub for next-generation research, development and production of advanced packaging products and services.

Addressing challenges in a key U.S. sector

Semiconductors are essential to modern economies, enabling everything from communications and transportation to healthcare and national defense. Yet, much of the world's semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capacity remains concentrated outside the United States, creating risks for both economic competitiveness and national security.

The NSF Semiconductor Engine in Florida is helping bolster U.S. technology leadership by advancing domestic capabilities in advanced semiconductor design, manufacturing and packaging. Through coordinated collaboration across academia, industry and government, the NSF Engine is scaling breakthrough technologies and strengthening U.S.-based production.

Workforce development: Building Florida's semiconductor talent pipeline

The demand for workers with skills and experience in advanced semiconductor research and production is continuing to grow. The NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine is aligning partners across Florida's ecosystem to meet the industry's evolving workforce needs through expanded access to education and training opportunities statewide.

These efforts include:

• Launching the first associate of science (A.S.) degree in semiconductor engineering technology.
• Expanding hands-on training in semiconductor design, prototyping, testing and production in critical and demanding environments.
• Offering stackable credentials and short-term training programs aligned with high-demand roles.
• Connecting students and workers with internships, apprenticeships and career pathways across the NSF Engine's 23-county region of service.

Examples of recent impact

In its first two years, the Florida Semiconductor Engine catalyzed $23 million in private capital and research and development investment. Companies including Northrop Grumman and L3Harris have expanded semiconductor capabilities in Florida, reinforcing the ecosystem's role in advanced manufacturing and national security. Additional early progress includes:

• A new, U.S.–Korea partnership to accelerate commercialization of semiconductor and advanced packaging technologies by connecting global manufacturing expertise with U.S. market demand and technical support.
• All 28 Florida state colleges are now able to offer the state's first-ever A.S. degree in semiconductor engineering technology.
• $3.6 million in new R&D funding to advance high-performance semiconductor projects at the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and industry partner imec USA.