In the fast-evolving semiconductor landscape, the United States and the European Union have embarked on substantial initiatives to bolster their semiconductor industries. With planned investments of $52.7 billion in the US through the CHIPS & Science Act and €43 billion in the EU with the Chips Act, there is great potential for groundbreaking research, innovative technologies, advanced fabrication, and transformative applications. There is also great potential in trans-Atlantic collaboration. Our high-level conference aims to clarify the goals and challenges of these programmes while also exploring how these ambitious initiatives can complement one another.
Enhanced cooperation is not without its challenges, including differing programme regulations, political objectives, and industry capabilities. Nevertheless, the dividends of trans-Atlantic cooperation are potentially immense—greater technological progress, heightened efficiencies, reduced costs, more secure supply chains, and strengthened trade and diplomatic ties. Many companies and research institutions, spanning both sides of the Atlantic, recognise these potential benefits and are actively exploring collaborative opportunities.
Our event, jointly organised by Brussels-based Science|Business news service and the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), one of America's leading policy research institutions, offers a unique platform to discuss these opportunities publicly. Bringing together stakeholders from industry, academia, and government , this conference will be broadcast live from Brussels, reported on by the Science|Business news service and followed up with a policy paper from CSIS.
Our goal is to highlight the need and opportunities inherent in greater cooperation and begin an ongoing transatlantic dialogue that brings together European and Americans from industry, academia, and policymakers in this crucial enabling technology.
13:30 Registration
14:00 Welcome and conference opening
- Maryline Fiaschi, Chief Executive Officer, Science|Business
- Sujai Shivakumar, Senior Fellow and Director of Renewing American Innovation Project, CSIS
14:10 Overview of the EU Chips Act and the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act
Europe and America’s flagship pieces of legislation have pledged serious funding to accelerate new semiconductor technology development and manufacturing, ranging from research, design and testing to advanced materials and environmental sustainability. This opening panel discussion will explore where the strategies and objectives of the respective Acts align and diverge, and which approaches – such as public-private partnerships – will be key to their implementation moving forward.
Panel discussion featuring:
- Eric Lin, Deputy Research and Development Director, CHIPS Office, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Jari Kinaret, Executive Director, Chips Joint Undertaking
- Barry Johnson, Division Director of Translational Impacts, Directorate of Technology Innovation, and Partnerships, National Science Foundation
Moderated by: Chris Fall, Senior Advisor, CSIS; Vice President for Applied Sciences, MITRE
15:00 Technical break
15:05 The opportunity for transatlantic R&D cooperation
Taiwan and South Korea’s current know-how and technological leadership means that the EU and US have plenty of incentives to combine forces if they wish to be in the vanguard of the next generations of chips and microelectronics. In this panel session, research leaders on both sides of the Atlantic will discuss how the Chips and CHIPS Acts are reshaping the opportunity landscape for their communities, along with practical examples of new R&D partnerships in action.
Panel discussion featuring:
- Gert Bergen, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, IMEC
- David Anderson, President, NYCREATES
- Andreas Schumacher, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Infineon Technologies
Moderated by: Charles Wessner, Senior Advisor, CSIS; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
15:55 Coffee break
16:10 Current initiatives to grow the semiconductor ecosystem
The achievement of longer-term political goals in semiconductors will largely depend on dynamic, well-integrated and transdisciplinary research systems, capable of bringing technological breakthroughs to market at greater speed and efficiency. Our third panel debate will explore ways in which Europe and America are approaching the challenge of strengthening their semiconductor value chains, from high-performing coalitions of academic and industry partners through to skills and training programmes.
Panel discussion featuring:
- Devanand Shenoy, Principal Director for Microelectronics, U.S. Department of Defense
- Patrick Bressler, Director International Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
- Naomie Verstraeten, Chief Innovation & Technology, Brainport Development
- Cristina Vicini, Supervisory Board Member, EIT Digital
Moderated by: Sujai Shivakumar, Senior Fellow and Director of Renewing American Innovation Project, CSIS
17:00 Technical Break
17:05 Industry perspectives
For R&D and technology commercialisation to flourish, both sides will need to minimise barriers to engagement in each other’s programmes and ultimately the co-creation of new products and solutions. The closing panel debate will focus on what industry and investors see as the key actions and enablers to facilitate cooperation between EU and US research teams and facilities, whether linked to funding criteria, intellectual property ownership, or researcher mobility.
Panel discussion featuring:
- Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director, IBM Research
- Riccardo Masucci, Director of Security and Technology Policy, Intel
- Arco Krijgsman, Head of Public-Private Partnerships, ASML
Moderated by: David Matthews, International Editor, Science|Business
17:55 Closing Remarks
18:00 Adjourn to Reception
Please, register here.
In-person attendance:
Kindly note that all registrations are subject to approval, and you will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been successfully processed.
Online attendance: Public
For further information, please contact Eleonora Nadin at [email protected].
Venue:
Comet Meetings - Louise
Place Stéphanie 20, 1050 Bruxelles
For further information, please contact [email protected]
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