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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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CHIPS for America is integral to the national strategy to restore and enhance the U.S. semiconductor industry’s competitiveness. The CHIPS Metrology program under this new initiative is designed to accelerate the development of technologies critical to semiconductor research and manufacturing.

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Focus of the CHIPS Metrology SBIR Initiative:

Approximately $54 million (about 24 awards) is anticipated to be distributed among selected small businesses that demonstrate potential to contribute significantly to advancements in semiconductor metrology.

The NOFO invites applications for two categories of projects: “Open Topics” and “Closed Topics.”

Through targeted investments in metrology capabilities, NIST is working to:

The CHIPS Metrology SBIR program is organized into three phases:

The CHIPS Metrology SBIR initiative mandates rigorous security protocols to protect the integrity of federally funded research and development, ensuring these efforts align with national security and intellectual property protections. Some considerations to highlight include:

For FY 2024, the Fast-Track Application process requires applicants to submit combined Phase I and II applications to speed up the development process; no separate NOFO will be issued for Phase II. Each application must include a detailed Technical Proposal narrative addressing either an Open or Closed CHIPS Metrology Topic, clearly outlining the development pathway for a commercial product or service. This narrative should be as thorough as a scientific paper, highlighting the project’s commercial potential, technological innovation, and its expected impact on the microelectronics industry.

Submissions must adhere to all administrative procedures and include all required forms, and applicants need to complete the Company Commercialization Report (CCR) on SBIR.gov, updating it annually for at least five years. The Technical Proposal should not exceed 15 pages and must clearly articulate the objectives for both phases, a detailed work plan, key personnel information, and potential commercial applications. For those with successful Phase I projects, applications for Phase II funding under Closed Topics should demonstrate alignment with those topics’ specific requirements. All applications will undergo a merit review focusing on compliance, impact, and feasibility, and applicants are urged to ensure accuracy and completeness to avoid processing delays or rejections.

Preparing applications will require cross-disciplinary teamwork. Legal counsel may assist applicant teams with several key aspects of this process, including:

https://admin.thompsonhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CHIPS-Incentives-Program-–-Funding-Opportunity-for-Small-Business-Innovation-Research-Program.pdf

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<a id="_ftn1" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was originally established in 1982 by the Small Business Innovation Development Act (P.L. 97-219), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 638. It was then expanded and extended by the Small Business Research and Development (R&amp;D) Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564), and received subsequent reauthorization and extensions, the most recent of which extends the SBIR program through 2025 (P.L. 117-183).

<a href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> A fillable version of Appendix C is available at <a href="http://www.nist.gov/sbir">http://www.nist.gov/sbir</a>.

<em>This advisory bulletin may be reproduced, in whole or in part, with the prior permission of Thompson Hine LLP and acknowledgment of its source and copyright. This publication is intended to inform clients about legal matters of current interest. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers should not act upon the information contained in it without professional counsel. </em>

<em>This document may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions.</em>

CHIPS Incentives Program – Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Business Innovation Research Program for CHIPS for America: CHIPS Metrology

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