Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) is a pioneering initiative committed to catalysing research, development, and manufacturing capabilities across Europe. In this section, we delve into the key facets of Chips JU and its mission to shape the semiconductor future of the European Union.
The Chips Joint Undertaking (JU) supports research, development, innovation, and future manufacturing capacities in the European semiconductor ecosystem.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Under the Multi-annual Work Programme 2023-2027 (WP2023-2027) of the Chips Joint Undertaking (‘Initiative’), calls for Pilot Lines (CPL) have opened for the submission of proposals.
Each Call for Pilot Line includes three interrelated calls:
- A Call for Expression of Interest for the selection of a Hosting Consortium.
- A Call for proposals for Set-up, integration and process development, funded under the Horizon Europe Programme.
- A Call for proposals for the operational activities of the pilot line, funded under the Digital Europe Programme.
Detailed Call Description
In practice, to cover the activities needed for a pilot line, consortia would submit three interrelated proposals, one for each of the abovementioned calls. Each call will have its specific admissibility requirements and eligibility, exclusion, and evaluation criteria, as outlined in this document. Consortia submitting proposals to calls for proposals may be different from Hosting Consortia submitting proposals for the Call for Expression of Interest as long as admissibility requirements and eligibility and exclusion criteria of the funding programmes concerned are respected.
For each Call for Pilot Line, a single complete proposal will be built by the applicants.
This single complete proposal will be submitted to the three interrelated calls per Pilot Line considering any necessary adjustments depending on the different submission platforms of each of the interrelated calls. Please note that an applicant consortium shall submit one application with three interrelated proposals, one for each of the abovementioned call.
Τhe present Call Document includes two calls for proposals for grants:
- Set-up, integration and process development Grant: this grant would cover the costs of deploying the infrastructure at a sufficient maturity level and the R&D&I activities required for the development of the process technology. This includes inter alia the cost to define tender specifications (for procurements), to integrate procured tools and equipment with existing facilities, to modify equipment, test, verify and validate the integration of the pilot line, and to develop the PDK/ADK (including its interfacing / deployment in the Design Platform). This grant will be established as a Horizon Europe Grant Agreement and will be evaluated according to Horizon Europe rules
- A Grant for the operational activities: this grant would cover part of the operational activities of the pilot line, i.e., part of the standard operating costs of the pilot line. This grant will be established as a Digital Europe Programme Grant Agreement and will be evaluated according to the Digital Europe Programme rules
The Chips JU launched 2 CPL (Call for Pilot Line), for the submission of proposals, which are the following:
- Pilot Line on Advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits
- Horizon Europe: HORIZON-Chips-2024-RIA-CPL-5
- Digital Europe: DIGITAL-Chips-2024-SG-CPL-5
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Maximum EU Expenditure: €180.000.000
- Call for Expression of Interest DIGITAL-Chips-2024-CfEoI-CPL-5:
Indicative – €100.000.000 / Maximum – €150.000.000
- Setup, integration HORIZON-Chips-2024-RIA-CPL-5
Indicative – €60.000.000 / Maximum – €100.000.000
- Operational DIGITAL-Chips-2024-SG-CPL-5
Indicative – €20.000.000 / Maximum – €40.000.000
EU funding rates are up to 50% for grants under the Digital Europe Programme, and up to 100% for grants under Horizon Europe.
The Union financial contribution to the Chips JU for the implementation of the Pilot Line shall cover up to 50% of the total costs of the pilot line. The remaining total cost of the pilot line (including VAT if applicable) shall be covered by the members of the Hosting Consortium and/or by the Participating State(s) where the Hosting Consortium members are established.
Thematic Categories
- Information Technology
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
Eligibility For Participation Notes
For the Call for Proposals for Set-up, integration and process development (Horizon Europe):
The admissibility and eligibility conditions are described in Annex A, Annex B and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
For the Call for Proposals for Operational activities of the pilot line (Digital Europe):
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies), established in EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)), EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme Specific Objective 6 or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature.
For the Call for Expression of Interest:
The call is open to entities or consortia of entities fulfilling cumulatively the following conditions:
- The Hosting Consortium shall include the members that will host and operate the pilot line. The members of the consortium shall be from a Participating State to the Chips JU.
- A consortium must consist of: (a) at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and (b) at least two other independent legal entities each established in a different Participating State;
- The members of the Hosting Consortium shall be registered as a legal entity in one of the Participating States;
- The applicant(s) shall have a legal personality on the date of the deadline for submission of applications and must be able to demonstrate their existence as a legal person.
- Applications shall include the provision of appropriate supporting documentation proving for each member of the Hosting Consortium that the commitment of the Participating State(s) where the member(s) of the consortium is/are established will cover the share of the total cost of implementation of the pilot line that is not covered by the Union contribution referred to in Article 128 of the SBA.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
CHIPS JU
Τelephone: +32 2 221 81 02
Email: enquiries@chips-ju.europa.eu
Address: Chips JU, TO 56 -5/5, 1049, Brussels, Belgium