NSF Ecosystem for Low-dimensional Electronics: Growth, Assembly, Nanoelectronics, and Translation (NSF ELEGANT)

The NSF ELEGANT program seeks either a single Ecosystem Coordinator or multiple Expert Performer Teams to advance low‑dimensional semiconductor technologies across five translation themes, from material growth to AI‑enabled acceleration, over a six‑year, government‑funded effort. The effort is structured as three 24‑month phases with go/no‑go milestones that require validation from at least two industry partners for each major deliverable. Funding of up to $150 million is allocated across themes, with a separate OTA to be negotiated with each awardee. Key activities include wafer‑scale material synthesis, 300 mm process development and PDK release, full‑chip prototype demonstrations achieving ≥10× PPAC improvement, manufacturing‑readiness road‑maps, and a shared AI/ML platform to accelerate research. The Ecosystem Coordinator will manage program integration, industry round‑tables, standards engagement, and IP administration. • Materials Theme 1: Grow low‑D semiconductor materials on 200 mm/300 mm wafers to industry‑defined specs, qualify deposition and metrology tools. • Process Theme 2: Deliver a reproducible 300 mm process flow and PDK to ≥2 industry partners. • Device Theme 3: Produce full‑chip prototypes with ≥10× PPAC improvement, validated by ≥2 partners. • Manufacturing Theme 4: Provide cost‑and‑yield models, domestic supply‑chain assessments, and a minimal packaging solution for capital‑investment decisions. • AI Theme 5: Operate a shared AI/ML platform that reduces time‑to‑result across at least three other themes.