Microelectronics Commons - Advanced Technology Development (ATD)

The Microelectronics Commons - 0400D program is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, specifically under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). The primary goal of this program is to strengthen the United States' domestic microelectronics innovation ecosystem, ensuring technological leadership and economic security. The program is authorized by the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and funded through the CHIPS for America Defense Fund, as established by the CHIPS Act of 2022. It is designed to address the increasing reliance on offshore manufacturing and prototyping of microelectronics, which poses risks to both national security and the U.S. technology sector.

A key objective of the Microelectronics Commons is to establish a National Network for Microelectronics Research and Development (NNMRD), which facilitates the transition of innovations from laboratory research to fabrication (lab-to-fab). The Commons achieves this through a public-private partnership model, creating regional innovation hubs distributed across the United States. These hubs are intended to provide resources, specialized equipment, technical expertise, and access to prototyping facilities for university labs, small businesses, and startups. By doing so, the program aims to lower barriers to entry for hardware startups, such as high costs of prototyping and limited access to fabrication infrastructure.

Within the program, the primary budget line for FY 2024 focuses on advanced technology development and prototyping activities, specifically targeting new materials, device designs, and architectures relevant to DoD applications. The project also supports the establishment and operation of the Commons Consortium Manager (CM), which coordinates and administers the network of regional hubs. The CM ensures alignment with DoD priorities and facilitates efficient management of resources and projects across the Commons.

The regional hubs established under the Commons are organized to address six critical technical areas: Secure Edge Computing, 5G/6G Technology, Artificial Intelligence Hardware, Quantum Technology, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Commercial Leap Ahead Technologies. Each hub may include existing facilities that are augmented to enhance their specialization in these emerging fields. Core fabrication facilities within the hubs are essential for maturing promising technologies and demonstrating their manufacturing viability for both defense and commercial sectors.

In FY 2024, significant accomplishments include the awarding of eight innovation hubs and investments in hub operations. Additional funding was allocated for Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and infrastructure, supporting the design ecosystem necessary for rapid prototyping. The hub membership has grown to over 1,300 members across 45 states, and numerous projects were awarded in the fourth quarter of FY 2024. These projects span the full range of technical focus areas and are intended to accelerate the maturation of microelectronics technologies.

The program also emphasizes workforce development, supporting educational initiatives from K-12 through postdoctoral training. Activities include internships, graduate fellowships, and hands-on training at hub facilities, with the goal of expanding the domestic talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry. This approach is designed to bolster local economies and contribute to the broader growth of the U.S. semiconductor workforce, which is critical for sustaining technological leadership.