WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub launched a $1.5 million grant program to help startups and small businesses commercialize their microelectronics products by offsetting operational costs, allowing companies to focus on innovation and scaling their businesses. The PROPEL Operations grant program, offered through the NEMC Hub’s Powering Regional Opportunities for Prototyping Microelectronics (PROPEL) initiative, will support critical aspects of product development, including patent drafting and filing, electronic design licenses, training, and cybersecurity.
“Our commitment to building a powerful microelectronics ecosystem across the region will lead to the creation of new jobs, businesses, and innovation in this space,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “The PROPEL grant programs reflect the NEMC Hub's commitment to fostering a thriving microelectronics ecosystem in the Northeast, empowering companies to turn their innovative ideas into commercially viable technologies.”
Bridging the Gap Between Lab and Fab
The grant program aims to help address the substantial investment and resources required for companies to bring promising microelectronics technologies to market. Awardees are eligible for grants of up to $100,000 that will alleviate financial burdens and allow companies with 100 or fewer employees to scale rapidly.
“The Northeast boasts a vibrant microelectronics ecosystem, and the PROPEL Operations Program will further serve as a catalyst for accelerating advancements in the field,” said Mark Halfman, director, NEMC Hub. “Following on the strong demand for the PROPEL Manufacturing program, we are excited to now address operational costs associated with scaling semiconductor technologies.”
Eligibility and Benefits
The program offers grant funding to offset expenses associated with critical operational functions, allowing companies to allocate resources towards core innovation activities. These funding opportunities include:
- Grants of up to $100,000 for startups and small companies with 50 or fewer employees (requires a 25 percent awardee cost share).
- Grants of up to $100,000 for startups and small companies with 51-100 employees (requires a 50 percent awardee cost share).
- Access to essential tools, training, and infrastructure within the NEMC Hub ecosystem.
Program Details and Resources
NEMC Hub members can explore the program benefits and application process by registering for an informational webinar on Thursday, August 22 at 1 p.m. Non-member companies interested in applying for the PROPEL Operations grant program can learn more about NEMC Hub membership by visiting the NEMC website.
For additional information about the PROPEL Operations Program, including eligibility criteria, application guidelines, membership, and timelines, please visit the NEMC Hub website.
About the NEMC Hub
The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub is a network of over 200 organizations including commercial and defense companies, leading academic institutions, federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs), and startups concentrated in eight Northeast states. Established in 2023, the Hub is one of eight regional Microelectronics Commons Hubs working to expand the nation’s global leadership in microelectronics and accelerate domestic semiconductor prototyping.
The NEMC Hub is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and was established with federal CHIPS and Science Act funding under the Microelectronics Commons program and executed through the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). The Hub fosters a vibrant, connected microelectronics ecosystem to provide sustainable lab-to-fab enablement, boost education and workforce development, and spur new jobs.
Learn more at https://www.nemicroelectronics.org/.