Nanomanufacturing Materials and Processes (NMP)
Call for Research

Overview

Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC) Global Research Collaboration (GRC) is soliciting white papers in the Nanomanufacturing Materials and Processes (NMP) research program. The principal goals of this program are to explore new materials and processes for scaled digital and analog device fabrication.

This call, issued to universities worldwide, may be addressed by an individual investigator or a research team. Our selection process is divided into two stages. Interested parties are requested to submit a 1-page white paper, which should identify what can be done in a three-year period beginning January 1, 2022. A successfully selected white paper will result in an invitation to submit a full proposal. These proposals will be further down-selected for research contracts. The number and size of the contracts awarded will be determined by the amount of available funds and the number of high-quality proposals. The anticipated funding level per task is expected to be $90K per year, which includes the overhead expenses charged by the institution. The funding level requested will be a factor in the selection process. Proposals offering funding leverage are strongly encouraged and should be indicated. (Leverage is other funding resources related and beneficial to the proposed work, further explained below.)

Each researcher may be involved in at most two white papers.

Research Needs

Our research needs are outlined in the Nanomanufacturing Materials and Processes research needs document. Researchers should carefully review this document.

2030 Broadening Participation Pledge

This aggressive agenda will help us drive meaningful change in advanced information and communication technologies that seem impossible today. 

Throughout the decade, as SRC defines, selects, and manages its research and education programs, we will look to grow our student base, establish a balanced mix of bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D.-level initiatives, and create a more diverse and inclusive community.

White Paper Guidelines

White Papers are limited to 1 page total, using a minimum of 10-point font size, and must be submitted via the OpenWater web app by July 1, 2021 @ 11:59 PM ET/8:59 PM PT. Submissions not in compliance with all guidelines will be excluded from consideration.

Please include the following identifying information in your White Paper:

• Project title
• Investigator(s) and university
• Principal investigator's contacts (telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address).

Please address the following topics in your White Paper:

• Targeted Need: Emphasize area and problem to be addressed; match most relevant topic addressed in the research needs document.
• Approach: Present your strategy for addressing the problem. Describe important findings from your research to date. Describe how your proposed research would advance the state of the art and be useful to SRC member companies.
• Objective and Results: What you plan to accomplish in a 3-year period. What are the anticipated outputs of a successful effort?
• 2030 Broadening Participation Pledge: How your task will enhance diversity in one or more of the following ways.
  • Smart growth of SRC’s student population
  • Tie-ins to more BS and/or MS students and research/education initiatives
  • Increased diversity – getting more women, more under-represented minorites (URM) involved - globally
  • Getting more US students into graduate research while still advocating for the best students from across the world
• Funding Request and participants: Plan for yearly budget should include overhead charges by your institution. Besides faculty, please also indicate the number of students supported and their degrees pursued. A detailed approved budget is not required at this time.
• Funding Leverage: Leverage funding applicable to the proposed research.
• Background IP: Identify any blocking pre-existing intellectual property on which new results will be based. 

Contract Awardees will be expected to:

• Assign a student to work on the project at the start of the contract.
• Participation in annual project reviews (PIs and students).
• Participation in SRC's Graduate student conference (TECHCON).
• Interact with industry liaisons.
• Submit Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Scorecards annually
• Submit reports for pre-defined deliverables in proposal.
• Submit publications resulting from sponsored research.
• File patents when applicable.
• Participate in Nanomanufacturing Materials and Processes activities, which highlight the importance, needs and progress of research in the nanomanufacturing materials and processes space.

Timetable and Deadlines

Event	Deadline
Announcement of Call-for-White-Papers	Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Deadline to Submit White Papers	Thursday, July 1, 2021 @ 11:59 PM EDT / 8:59 PM PDT
Invitation to Submit Full Proposals	Thursday, July 29, 2021
Deadline to Submit Full Proposals	Monday, August 30, 2021 @ 11:59 PM EDT / 8:59 PM PDT
Winning Proposals Notified	Wednesday, October 6, 2021
New Programs Start	January 1, 2022

Please direct all technical questions to Daniel Rasic, Research Program Director. All other questions and responses should be directed to Mary Rehbein, Research Program Coordinator.