IPCEI Microelectronics (ME/CT & Advanced Semiconductor Technologies)
Major state-aid-backed grants for semiconductor projects along the value chain (incl. design, chiplets, photonics, power, sensors) via the Important Projects of Common European Interest. Germany selected 38 projects under IPCEI AST (~€4.3bn national funding); ~1/3 are startups/SMEs.
Key parameters
| German funding (AST) | ~€4.3bn to 38 selected projects |
|---|---|
| Workstreams (ME/CT) | THINK · SENSE · COMMUNICATE · ACT |
| AST technology areas | incl. photonic ICs, AI chips & chiplets, sensors, power electronics |
| Consortium | Cross-border — must involve ≥4 EU member states |
Eligibility
- HQ
- Any headquarters country
- Local presence
- Separate legal entity required The applicant must be a separate legal person (e.g. GmbH, BV, SARL) — a branch office of a foreign company does not qualify here.
- R&D substance
- Required
- Company size
- No size restriction
- Models
- Fabless design, IP licensing, IDM, EDA / tools, Equipment, Materials
- Sectors
- All
- Goals
- Additional design site in Europe; Manufacturing / fab site; R&D cooperation without own site; Access to pilot lines & prototyping
Highly selective, competitive process managed nationally (VDI/VDE-IT) and approved as state aid by the Commission. A German legal entity applies as part of a cross-border consortium; first-of-a-kind innovation and spillover commitments are required.
Mechanism & application
Discretionary (call-based) — Competitive, call-based — requires approval; success not guaranteed.
Respond to national calls for expressions of interest (project outlines), then matchmaking into a cross-border consortium and Commission state-aid approval.
Timeline: 12+ months from call to grant
Legal basis & sources
- Legal basis
- IPCEI framework (Commission Communication 2021/C 528/02); German notified aid measures
- Verification
- BMWE / GTAI / VDI-VDE-IT (IPCEI AST: 38 German projects, ~€4.3bn)
Changelog
-
15 Jan 2026
IPCEI AST: 54 project outlines submitted; 38 German projects selected across all technology areas.
Source: BMWE / Silicon Saxony