- U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Digital Twin for Semiconductors Contract: The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the primary scientific research and development center for the Air Force awarded BRIDG a major federal defense contract to develop a secure digital twin for semiconductor (SDTS) capability that will enable end-users to validate the integrity of a chip or assembly of multiple chips.
- U.S. National Science Foundation Inaugural Regional Innovation Engine Award: On January 29, 2024, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced that Central Florida was selected as one of the 10 inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) – the NSF Central Florida Semiconductor innovation Engine. With a potential NSF investment of nearly $1.6 billion over the next decade, the NSF Engines represent one of the single largest investments in place-based research and economic development in the nation’s history – uniquely placing science and technology leadership as the central driver for regional economic competitiveness and job creation.
- U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency Build Back Better Regional Challenge: Osceola County, in partnership with Orlando Economic Partnership, the University of Central Florida, BRIDG, the Florida High Tech Corridor, SkyWater Technology, and the Osceola Chamber, was awarded $50.8 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge to develop Central Florida’s semiconductor and microelectronics industry cluster. Out of 529 applications from across the country, and 17 out of the state of Florida, the Osceola County-led Central Florida Semiconductor Coalition was the only one in the state of Florida, and one of 21 coalitions across the country, to win this prestigious award. This was the first major federal semiconductor investment by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- U.S. Department of Defense Cornerstone/RESHAPE Award: Osceola County was recently awarded a five-year contract by the Department of Defense, positioning Osceola County at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to produce next-generation microchips for the U.S. military. This contract is administered in partnership with BRIDG, and SkyWater Technology, both of which are NeoCity Coalition partners whose leadership has been key to the development of NeoCity as a center attracting investment, researchers, and manufacturers globally. Unique to this award, Osceola County is likely the only local government in the U.S. that is a defense prime contractor.
- U.S. Department of Defense Office of Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Federal Contract: This program with BRIDG, imec, and SkyWater focuses on secure microelectronic multi-chip systems with IBAS program’s goal to establish a comprehensive domestic silicon interposer manufacturing capability, supporting several advanced electronic systems. Silicon interposers are used to integrate semiconductor devices into a highly compact and power efficient format, providing increased performance and capability. Versatile and compact, silicon interposers are quickly becoming one of the most popular choices for advanced packaging.