UK joins EU Chips Joint Undertaking

On Wednesday, the UK Government declared its pledge of £35 million to support the EU’s ‘Chips Joint Undertaking’ semiconductor research initiative.

This announcement is set to empower British semiconductor researchers and businesses by granting them expanded access to a funding pool backed by the UK government and Horizon Europe, totaling €1.3 billion.

Under the auspices of the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, an initial £5 million will be allocated this year, with an additional £30 million earmarked to bolster UK engagement in subsequent research endeavors from 2025 to 2027.

Having joined Horizon Europe last year through a tailored agreement with the EU, the UK has fortified its capacity to pioneer new technologies and research endeavors, spanning domains from healthcare to artificial intelligence. Initially barred from participation following its departure from the European Union, the UK has now found a pathway back into this collaborative framework.

Saqib Bhatti, the Minister for Technology, emphasized the significance of the UK’s involvement in the Chips Joint Undertaking, highlighting its role in fortifying the nation’s prowess in semiconductor science and research, thus securing its position within the global chip supply chain. Bhatti reiterated the government’s steadfast dedication to pushing technological frontiers, emphasizing the country’s pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of semiconductor technologies worldwide.