Guideline for the promotion of a "Competence Center Chip Design"
An announcement by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space; Federal Gazette of 04.05.2026
Skills and capacities in chip design are crucial for technological sovereignty and competitive microelectronics in Germany. A significant part of the added value in new microelectronics lies in the design of chips and electronic systems. Chip design translates user requirements into microelectronic functionalities and thus shapes product innovations.
This funding guideline is a flagship measure of the "High-Tech Agenda Germany". It is part of the German government's microelectronics strategy in the field of action "Expanding chip design capabilities". It builds on the white paper process of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) on the Chip Design Competence Center, in which the specialist community was invited to contribute its input to the establishment of a competence center.
The objectives of the funding measure are to strengthen technological sovereignty in chip design, increase value creation and innovation through design expertise in research and industry, mobilize skilled workers, bundle existing national activities in chip design and link them to the European design platform. The aim is to develop Germany into one of the leading chip design locations in Europe and make a key contribution to securing Europe's technological sovereignty. The central element of the funding measure is the implementation of design enablement from universities and research institutions, oriented towards the needs of the user industry in Germany.
