Frequently Asked Questions: CARISSMA NOFO

The application process consists of a mandatory concept paper and a full application. Full applications will only be accepted from applicants invited after the concept paper stage.

This NOFO seeks applications for industry-informed, university-based AI/AE collaborations, including research and development, education and workforce development, and related activities relevant to sustainable semiconductor materials and processes.

If successful, awards made under this NOFO will support the long-term viability of next-generation domestic semiconductor manufacturing, accelerating the discovery, design, synthesis, and adoption of materials and processes, and the development of new researchers needed to meet the industry’s technology, economic, and sustainability goals.

Mandatory concept papers are due January 13, 2025.

The full application deadline will be communicated to invited applicants at the time of invitation

The CHIPS R&D will host an informational webinar on November 8, 2024 to provide general information regarding this NOFO, offer general guidance on preparing applications, and answer questions.

You can register for the webinar here. 

Concept papers will be accepted only through Grants.gov. Concept papers must be received at Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on January 13, 2025. Concept papers received after the specified deadline will not be reviewed or considered. 

Eligible applicants may submit only one concept paper and, if invited, one full application.

Letters of Commitment are no required. However, where feasible, applicants are encouraged to include letters of commitment from potential private sector partners indicating interest in the funded innovation and the potential for industry to rapidly move funded innovations, if successfully demonstrated, to higher TRL levels

Letters of interest are optional and, where included, should indicate willingness from any third party to support this proposed effort

Letters of interest do not contribute to the concept paper narrative page limit

Full applications will be accepted only from those applicants invited after concept paper evaluation. Full application deadlines will be communicated to invited applicants at the time of invitation.

CHIPS R&D is unable to provide feedback on concept papers while the competition is on-going.

This NOFO identifies strict limitations on page counts for the concept paper and, where invited, a full application. The applicant should refer to Table 3 and Table 4 in the NOFO to determine which documents and forms are included and excluded in page count limits for concept papers and full applications, respectively.

Yes. Eligible subrecipients may be included in more than one application.

CHIPS R&D anticipates a total Federal commitment of up to approximately $100 million, with multiple awards in amounts ranging from approximately $20 million to $40 million per award.

Construction activities are not an allowable cost with Federal funds under this NOFO. However, costs related to internal modifications of existing buildings that may be necessary to carry out the proposed research tasks may be allowed, at determined by NIST in its sole discretion.

Non-federal cost share is not required in this program.

However, CHIPS R&D encourages applicants to detail in their applications opportunities for optional co-investment, which may include industry-provided expertise, intellectual property, facility access, or other forms of partner co-investment during the award period of performance

Domestic accredited institutions of higher education and domestic non-profit or for-profit organizations that manage consortia of accredited institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for this NOFO.

A domestic entity is one that is incorporated within the United States (including a U.S. territory) with its principal place of business in the United States (including a U.S. territory).

Eligible subrecipients include accredited institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations or non-profit organizations; State, local, territorial, and Tribal governments; Federally Funded Research and Development Centers; Federal entities; foreign partners; and other entities that are eligible to participate as applicants under this NOFO.

CHIPS R&D strongly encourages applications from multi-disciplinary, multi-organization project teams that collectively demonstrate the full range of expertise, experience, and development capabilities needed to achieve the objectives of this NOFO.

An emerging research institute (ERI) is an institution of higher education with an established undergraduate or graduate program that conducts less than $50 million per year in Federal research expenditures.

No, but successful applicants should demonstrate strong partnerships among one or more Emerging Research Institutions.

Project teams must include faculty from one or more ERIs serving as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator.