NIST Extends Comment Period for Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institutes Effort

The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology this week extended until Dec. 12 its comment period as it solicits feedback on certain domestic semiconductor initiatives. NIST, which first requested comments in October, said it’s looking for feedback to “inform the design of, and requirements for, potential Manufacturing USA institutes to strengthen the semiconductor and microelectronics innovation ecosystem, which could include design, fabrication, advanced test, assembly, and packaging capability.” Responses will inform the agency’s “development of funding opportunities for federal assistance to establish Manufacturing USA semiconductor institutes,” a national network of linked manufacturing institutes aimed at bolstering U.S. technology innovation, as envisioned in the Chips and Science Act. Comments were originally due Nov. 28.