by James E. Carroll
The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized its long-term partnership agreement with Natcast to manage the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) under an agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Valued at up to $6.3 billion, this award solidifies Natcast’s role in advancing U.S. leadership in semiconductor research, development, and workforce ecosystem building, aligning with the vision outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act.
Natcast, a key player in semiconductor innovation, will use this funding to enhance the NSTC’s strategic goals over the next decade. These include investments in cutting-edge research and development, workforce training, a Design Enablement Gateway, silicon aggregation services, and flagship CHIPS for America R&D facilities. Deirdre Hanford, CEO of Natcast, highlighted the program’s transformative potential: “The NSTC represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the shared infrastructure, resources, workforce, and collaboration necessary to secure America’s global leadership position in semiconductor technology.”
This partnership builds on Natcast’s previous $1.1 billion award under the CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) to oversee advanced packaging capabilities at the NSTC Prototyping and Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility (PPF) in Tempe, Arizona. Over 100 members from across the semiconductor ecosystem have joined the NSTC since its membership program launched in late 2024, underscoring its momentum as a hub for innovation.
• Key Features of the NSTC Agreement with Natcast:
• Funding: Up to $6.3 billion to operate the NSTC for 10 years.
• Strategic Goals: Advance R&D, workforce development, design enablement, and technical centers.
• Flagship Programs: Operate CHIPS for America R&D facilities and enhance advanced packaging capabilities.
• Membership Engagement: Over 100 members committed to collaborating through the NSTC ecosystem.
In January 2024, Deirdre Hanford was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of Natcast. Prior to joining Natcast, she had a distinguished 36-year career at Synopsys, a leader in electronic design automation and semiconductor design intellectual property. At Synopsys, Hanford held several key positions, including Chief Security Officer and Co-General Manager of the Synopsys Design Group, overseeing various customer engagement, applications engineering, sales, and marketing groups. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Hanford was selected to receive the 2025 IEEE Frederik Philips Award for visionary leadership in electronic design automation for secure and energy-efficient microelectronics.
Joining Hanford in Natcast’s leadership team are:
• Dr. Robert Chau, Senior Vice President of Research: Dr. Chau brings extensive experience in semiconductor research and development, having held prominent positions in leading technology firms.
• Susan Feindt, Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development: Prior to Natcast, Feindt was an executive and senior technical fellow at Analog Devices, where she led technology strategy and innovations, specializing in advanced process and device development. Her 36-year career at ADI was marked by leadership, mentorship, and technical innovations that resulted in the commercialization of numerous technologies.
Under this leadership, Natcast has announced several key programs to advance the U.S. semiconductor industry:
• National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC): Aims to extend U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology, reduce the time and cost to prototype, and build and sustain a semiconductor workforce ecosystem.
• CHIPS for America R&D Facilities: Natcast is involved in establishing flagship facilities, including the NSTC Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility in Tempe, Arizona, and the Design and Collaboration Facility in Sunnyvale, California. These facilities are designed to accelerate semiconductor R&D and commercialization in the U.S.
• NSTC Membership Program: Launched to convene a diverse set of members from across the semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and education to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry.
These initiatives reflect Natcast’s commitment to fostering collaboration across industry, academia, and government to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.
