01 Dec 2023
Chips Joint Undertaking officially launched
On 30 November 2023, the European Commission officially inaugurated the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), which has the objective to reinforce the European semiconductor ecosystem and Europe's technological leadership. It aims at bridging the gap between research, innovation and production, thereby facilitating the commercialisation of innovative ideas. The Chips JU will, among others, deploy pilot lines for which the Commission announced the first call with €1.67 billion of EU funding. This is expected to be matched by funds from Member States to reach €3.3 billion, plus additional private funds.
In addition, the European Semiconductor Board held its first meeting today. The Board brings together Member States to provide advice to the Commission on the consistent implementation of the European Chips Act and on international collaboration in semiconductors. It will be the key platform for coordination between the Commission, Member States, and stakeholders to address issues relating to the resilience of the supply chain and possible crisis responses.
The Chips JU is the main implementer of the Chips for Europe Initiative (expected total budget €15.8 billion until 2030). The Chips JU aims at strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem and economic security by managing an expected budget of nearly €11 billion by 2030, provided by the EU and participating states.
A common European strategy for the semiconductor sector was first announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2021 State of the Union address. In February 2022, the Commission proposed the European Chips Act. In April 2023 a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the EU Member States on the Chips Act. The Chips Act entered into force on 21 September 2023, and with it the Regulation on the Chips Joint Undertaking (JU) and the European Semiconductor Board.
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