The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (DOS/EB) recently issued four Requests for Statements of Interest (RSOIs) under the International Technology, Security, and Innovation Fund (ITSI) for Costa Rica, Mexico, Philippines, and Vietnam. These initiatives, spurred by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, aim to strengthen the international semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging capacity in allied nations, with the ultimate goal of diversifying the global semiconductor supply chain. DOS/EB seeks respondents to these ROSIs who can outline plans to address workforce development and/or policy reform. Anticipated funding for proposed concepts for Costa Rica, Mexico and Philippines can range from $500,000 and $2 million per award and between $1 million and $5 million per award for Vietnam. Multiple awards may be granted to support activities in each country. U.S. and foreign public, private, or state educational institutions are eligible to submit a SOI of up to three pages for each separate RSOI that outlines the proposed program and objectives by no later than August 16, 2024. The Department intends to invite a subset of applicants to submit full proposals, which will undergo a second merit review prior to receiving an award. Information about ITSI is available here
July 22, 2024