Governor Greg Abbott has announced a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant of $1.98 million to Prairie View A&M University for a workforce development initiative in 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI) microelectronics. The program will be based at the university’s campus in Prairie View.
“Texas is investing in the workforce of tomorrow today,” said Governor Abbott. “Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public higher education institution in Texas, has built an unparalleled reputation for empowering scholars. This specialized workforce training program will further Texas’ leadership in cutting-edge microelectronics, enhance national security by strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and expand the path to better jobs and bigger paycheck opportunities for Texans for years to come.”
The new initiative will train students using 3DHI technologies, which allow stacking separately manufactured components—such as chips or wafers with different semiconductors and materials—within a single package to improve functionality and performance.
The Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University is leading this effort as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The college is collaborating with the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute and partnering with the Next-Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing program. The training provided will cover 3DHI process capabilities, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), digital twins, and 3DHI microsystems. The goal is to prepare students for careers in high-tech fields related to microelectronics.
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for investing in Texas’ semiconductor workforce and providing a strong vision to maintain our state’s dominance in this critical sector,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “Prairie View A&M University is preparing students for the most complex and in-demand jobs in the industry. This grant is an investment not only in Texas’ economic future, but also in the men and women whose skills will keep our state at the forefront of innovation for decades to come.”
“Texas is a global leader in developing innovative technology, and Prairie View A&M is at the forefront of that effort,” said Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst. “This important fund will help Prairie View A&M continue to create a highly educated workforce that is building a bridge to the future.”
In 2023, Governor Abbott signed into law the Texas CHIPS Act, which established TSIF as well as the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (TSIC). These programs are managed by the Texas CHIPS Office within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office. They aim to strengthen semiconductor research, design, manufacturing capabilities within higher education institutions across Texas while encouraging companies related to semiconductors to expand operations within the state.
According to information from the official website, under Governor Abbott’s leadership since his election in 2014, his office has contributed toward making Texas a leader nationally in job growth and record employment levels while advancing initiatives focused on job creation, economic opportunity expansion, educational improvement efforts such as those supported by this grant announcement.
