THE FUTURE OF SEMICONDUCTORS
STARTS IN OREGON.
FAST is a bold initiative led by Oregon State University to restore national leadership and catalyze a resurgence in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing in Oregon.
WHAT IS FAST?
PART OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) REGIONAL INNOVATION ENGINES PROGRAM
FAST unites 95 partners—spanning industry, higher education, government, and nonprofits—to create a cohesive, high-impact semiconductor ecosystem across the state.
ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL GROWTH
The initiative will build on useinspired research to expand Oregon’s semiconductor industry, accelerate innovation, and generate high-wage, future-ready jobs.
STRATEGIC FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
FAST aims to secure up to $160 million in federal investment over 10 years, building on Oregon’s CHIPS Act commitment to amplify competitiveness.
—CHRIS MCMORRAN,
MAYOR, PHILOMATH
WHO’S
INVOLVED?
CORE PARTNERS
LEAD INSTITUTION
Industry and Innovation Partners
Community-Based and Tribal Serving Partners
Higher Education Partners
Venture and Economic Development Partners
Government Partners
WHY
OREGON?
OREGONIANS WORK IN
SEMICONDUCTORS TODAY
CHIP SECTOR
IS AMONG THE MOST ADVANCED IN THE U.S. and the only advanced logic chips design to fabrication capability on U.S. soil.
MAKE UP THE CASCADES WILLAMETTE INNOVATION CORRIDOR—including underserved rural areas with high growth potential. Keeping manufacturing and semiconductor innovation domestic ensures U.S. security, control over technology, and economic resilience.
FAST’S
STRATEGIC GOALS
Advancing AI-enabled chip design, smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance, and advanced packaging.
Creating thousands of new high-tech jobs—average salaries are ~$180K, nearly $100K above Oregon’s average.
Expanding training and education via partnerships between universities, community colleges, and employers
Aligning public and private stakeholders to build a semiconductor ecosystem that spans the full value chain.
The future of semiconductors is being rewritten by AI. Chips are no longer just manufactured—they’re trained. AI is the biggest transformation the semiconductor industry has ever seen.”
—JENSEN HUANG,
CEO, NVIDIA
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
ALUMNUS
WHY FAST
MATTERS
Manufacturing advanced semiconductors is impossible without a mature ecosystem – yield is too important and the cost of failure too high.”
—STEPHEN MEYERS,
CEO, INPRIA
in U.S. semiconductor leadership to strengthen national security
high-wage, future-ready jobs across Oregon
a workforce that has industry driven skills and is available to all Oregonians
Oregon’s long-term capacity for innovation
the way for AI transformation in the semiconductor industry
WHAT’S
NEXT?
JULY 2025
FAST selected as one of 29 semifinalists (out of 71) in National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines competition