WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2025 — Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act, today launched a Call for Proposals (CFP) for the 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Program (Workforce Awards), the latest funding opportunity through the NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence. Through the Workforce Awards, Natcast will invest in semiconductor industry-related training and educational supports for American workers to help close workforce and skills gaps in the United States for researchers, engineers, and technicians involved in semiconductor design and production.
“The U.S. semiconductor industry faces significant workforce challenges, with demand for semiconductor talent expected to far exceed the supply of trained workers within the next decade,” said John D. Ratliff, Executive Director of the NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence and Vice President at Natcast. “Through the 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Program, we are addressing this gap by investing in programs that prepare U.S. workers for quality semiconductor jobs and increase access to effective, employer-driven workforce solutions. Together with our institutional partners, we are rapidly expanding the pool of skilled talent needed to support our domestic semiconductor industry, which is vital to American-led innovation and our country’s economic and national security.”
The Workforce Awards are designed to encompass a wide range of workforce solution providers, including the operators of established programs seeking to scale, growing programs seeking to expand or realign, and new programs that meet a previously unaddressed need or opportunity within the ecosystem. Entities providing semiconductor-related education or training programs, products, or activities developed to prepare or enable individuals to obtain the skills or credentials required for semiconductor jobs or enhance access to those offered by one or more employers are encouraged to apply.
Natcast anticipates making 10-20 awards ranging from approximately $500,000 to $2 million per award, with projects expected to commence in 2026 for periods of performance of one to two years. Funded proposals will increase the number of individuals who are equipped with the necessary skills to enter the U.S. semiconductor workforce and/or improve the availability of high-quality training programs for jobs in semiconductor design or production in the United States.
“By engaging innovative workforce solutions providers across the country, the 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Program will support the development of high-demand skills and training pathways for researchers, engineers, and technicians to enter and advance their careers in the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said Lexie Waugh, Director, Workforce Grants and Recognition, at Natcast. “Through the Workforce Awards and other NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence programs, we’re making a strategic investment in the people, capabilities, and resources that will keep America at the forefront of technological innovation for generations to come.”
As the first stage in the application process, eligible organizations are invited to submit a Submission Intent Form by August 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. EDT. Eligible organizations whose Submission Intent Forms pass the eligibility screening and are determined to be complete and responsive will be invited back to submit a full proposal in September, with full proposal submissions due by October 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. EDT.
To access the official CFP and application portal, please visit natcast.org/workforce/2025-nstc-workforce-awards-program. Natcast will hold a webinar the week of July 7, 2025, to provide an in-depth overview of the Workforce Awards, application timeline, and eligibility requirements. The webinar will also cover details regarding a new workforce recognition program set to launch in the coming weeks.