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Stimulating Chip Design Skills in Europe

Description

This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) aims to strengthen Europe's semiconductor design ecosystem by creating a comprehensive European Chip Design Skills Programme. The objective is to lower barriers to entering chip design by expanding access to hands-on education, practical design experience and educational tape-outs, while increasing the attractiveness of semiconductor careers for young people and supporting the reskilling and upskilling of the existing workforce. The initiative directly supports the Chips Act objective of building Europe's advanced integrated semiconductor design capabilities and developing a strong pipeline of highly skilled chip designers.

Funding Amount

Total indicative budget

  • EUR 15 million

Expected EU contribution per project

  • Approximately EUR 15 million, although proposals requesting different amounts are permitted where appropriately justified.

Funding mode

  • EU funding only
  • Coordination and Support Action (CSA).

Submission Deadlines

  • Call launch: 7 July 2026
  • Submission deadline: 24 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
  • Submission process: One-stage (Full Proposal only).

Submission Conditions

  • Coordination and Support Action (CSA)
  • EU funding only
  • One-stage submission (Full Proposal)
  • Expected project duration of at least five years
  • Standard Digital Europe Programme admissibility, eligibility and evaluation rules apply together with the Chips JU evaluation procedures.
  • Standard proposal page limits apply (following the Digital Europe Programme CSA template).

Eligible Types of Businesses

The call is open to organisations eligible under the Digital Europe Programme and Chips Joint Undertaking rules, including:

  • Universities
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers
  • Higher education institutions
  • Research organisations and RTOs
  • SMEs
  • Large enterprises
  • Semiconductor companies
  • Design houses
  • Industry associations
  • Public authorities
  • Skills and training organisations
  • Other eligible legal entities participating in semiconductor education and workforce development.

Eligible Countries

Participation follows the standard Digital Europe Programme eligibility rules.

Eligible participants include organisations established in:

  • EU Member States
  • EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway)

Entities controlled by third countries may participate only where the required security guarantees protecting the essential security interests of the Union and Member States are provided. Standard Digital Europe Programme participation restrictions also apply.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • expanded hands-on education in microelectronics and semiconductor design across Europe;
  • practical chip design integrated into university and vocational education programmes;
  • improved access to educational tape-outs and real design environments;
  • increased numbers of students entering semiconductor design careers;
  • stronger links between education providers and industry;
  • a more attractive and accessible semiconductor design career pathway for young people;
  • improved reskilling and upskilling opportunities for existing professionals;
  • a stronger European pipeline of highly qualified chip designers supporting the growth of Europe's semiconductor industry.

Scope

Projects should establish a pan-European programme that stimulates chip design education and practical experience across all educational levels.

The programme is expected to:

  • expand hands-on semiconductor and microelectronics design education across Europe;
  • provide practical chip design experience integrated into university and vocational curricula;
  • increase access to educational tape-outs and modern design tools;
  • create a coordinated European Chip Design Skills Programme that inspires young people to pursue careers in semiconductor design;
  • support reskilling and upskilling of the existing workforce to meet emerging semiconductor technology needs;
  • improve collaboration between academia, vocational education, industry and the wider semiconductor ecosystem;
  • contribute to strengthening Europe's long-term competitiveness in fabless semiconductor design.

As with the other Skills Development topics, proposals are expected to have a minimum duration of five years and define clear KPIs for measuring long-term impact.

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