Accepting applications until Monday, August 11, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET
On June 12, 2025, Natcast launched 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, manufacturing, and production.
The Challenge
The semiconductor industry is facing significant workforce challenges as demand for semiconductor talent is expected to rapidly outpace the supply of trained workers. Building the semiconductor workforce that is needed today and into the future is critical to the health and competitiveness of the U.S. economy.
Making investments in the U.S. semiconductor workforce is an opportunity to connect individuals to quality jobs and build a robust workforce development ecosystem that supports an industry essential to the country’s national and economic security.
The Opportunity
The 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Program is designed to support a wide range of workforce solution providers who are committed to addressing the critical workforce needs within the semiconductor industry in the United States.
Awards are anticipated to range in size between $500,000 and $2,000,000 to be utilized over a one-to-two-year period beginning in Spring 2026. Natcast anticipates making approximately 10 to 20 awards through the Workforce Awards.
General Eligibility
Eligible applicants include domestic for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, and accredited institutions of higher education.
While entities are not required to be NSTC Members at the time of application, Natcast will work with each awardee and subawardee so they can become an NSTC Member at the time of award. Learn more about the benefits of becoming an NSTC Member and apply here.
More information is available in the Call for Proposals (CFP) linked below.
The deadline for interested entities to submit an Intent Form is Monday, August 11, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET.
Application Timeline
| Milestone | Target Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | June 12, 2025 |
| Question Submission Deadline | July 10, 2025 |
| Intent Form Submission Deadline | Aug. 11, 2025 (5 p.m. ET) |
| Invitations Sent to Eligible Applicants to Submit Full Proposals | Sept. 2, 2025 |
| Full Proposal Submission Deadline | Oct. 15, 2025 (5 p.m. ET) |
| Award Notifications | Winter 2025-2026 |
Questions?
Questions can be submitted to [email protected]. Responses to frequently asked questions will be posted to this page and updated periodically.