International cooperation in semiconductors (CSA)
Within the context of semiconductor and semiconductor-based photonics (e.g. silicon photonics), the CSA will support the Commission and the Member States in the following activities:
- Preparation of a regional mapping of leading semiconductor countries outside of the EU regarding supply chains, industrial strengths, gaps and their expected evolution;
- Identification of emerging opportunities (e.g. technologies, approaches) for cooperation with other regions;
- Definition of research areas in which international cooperation would result in tangible benefits for Europe;
- Analysis of risks to the EU’s technological advancements, technological competitiveness, and access to leading-edge technology vis-à-vis international cooperation countries;
- Analysis of risks related to EU economic security in the semiconductor area including due to potential over-capacities for production of mainstream chips[[Mainstream chips denote semiconductor devices manufactured at node sizes equal or greater than 28 nm.]], export controls and non-market policies and practices.
- Promotion and contribution to standardisation activities;
- Organisation of joint events contributing to the above outcomes;
- Promotion of mobility of researchers in specific topics (in cooperation with other support schemes);
- Preparation of a comparative analysis of modalities for cooperation and their applicability.
The Commission will actively engage with Member States via the European Semiconductor Board ensuring that their interests and views are taken into account.
Projects are expected to ensure complementarities with projects funded under the following topics:
- HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-38: International cooperation in semiconductors (CSA)
- Chips Diplomacy Support Initiative - EU action grant in the field of pilot projects and preparatory actions[[See Chips Diplomacy Support Initiative | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)]]
- Chips Joint Undertaking’s HORIZON-Chips-2024-3-RIA: Joint call with Korea on Heterogeneous integration and neuromorphic computing technologies for future semiconductor components and systems
And to develop synergies with projects funded under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP).