UK Semicon Centre receives £6.6m investment
Speaking at a ChipStart UK event, Kanishka Narayan, Minister for AI and Online Safety
UK Semiconductor Centre (UKSC) has welcomed a £6.6 million investment from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), aimed at strengthening the United Kingdom’s capabilities in semiconductor innovation.
The funding will support upgrades to critical national infrastructure across key technology areas, including compound semiconductors, photonics and advanced packaging. In total, 12 projects across the UK will benefit, among them the development of what is expected to be the world’s first AI-driven electron-beam lithography (EBL) tool.
This latest investment builds on ongoing government support for research, skills development and industry collaboration, forming part of DSIT’s broader efforts to enhance the UK’s semiconductor sector under its Digital and Technologies strategy.
Speaking at a ChipStart UK event, Kanishka Narayan, Minister for AI and Online Safety, emphasised the importance of ensuring nationwide impact. He noted that the funding will enhance research capabilities across universities and institutions while improving access to advanced infrastructure for companies and innovators throughout the ecosystem.
The largest allocation has been awarded to the APRIL AI Hub at University of Edinburgh, which will acquire an 8-inch, 200keV EBL system to enable nanoscale lithography and accelerate the development of AI-enabled nanopatterning technologies.
Other beneficiaries include leading research centres such as the University of Southampton and the National Ion Beam Centre, among others.
UKSC Chief Operating Officer Raj Gawera highlighted the need for continued investment to keep pace with global demand, noting that improved coordination and accessibility of infrastructure will be key to unlocking the full value of the UK’s semiconductor ecosystem.
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