This move highlights the UK's recognition of the need for international collaboration in technology post-Brexit. The partnership follows other agreements the UK has made with countries like Korea, Canada, and the U.S. The Chips Joint Undertaking, which has a budget of about €11 billion from both public and private contributions, is part of the European Chips Act, approved in 2023 to help Europe reduce its reliance on semiconductor imports. The UK's contribution will focus on cutting-edge research, with the aim of developing more powerful and efficient chips for AI and other advanced technologies.
Key takeaways:
- The UK government has announced its partnership with the EU’s “Chips Joint Undertaking” as a “participating state”, enabling UK organizations to access a pool of €1.3 billion for semiconductor research and development.
- The UK will contribute £35 million in funding for UK efforts over the next few years, with £5 million provided initially to help organizations apply for access to funds, and an additional £30 million between 2025 and 2027 for further research.
- The government estimates that there are “tens of thousands of UK companies” eligible for grants, which are worth up to £450,000 on average. The deadline for applications is May 14.
- The partnership is part of the UK's strategy to not go forth on its own in technology post-Brexit, following tie-ups with countries like Korea, Canada, and the U.S. The UK also joined Horizon Europe, a larger program for R&D across multiple sectors, last year.