Faculty win largest National Science Foundation award in university history to create semiconductor workforce center

A team of Boise State University faculty are making university history and amplifying Idaho's semiconductor workforce potential with a new $7.4 million U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) award, the largest NSF award in Boise State history.

This award is an NSF EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) Center award, which will fund the creation of 'AWESOME', the Center for Advancing Workforce Experience through Semiconductors, Outreach, and Mentoring Excellence.

"This historic award marks a proud and defining moment for Boise State," said Interim President Jeremiah Shinn. "It affirms the creativity and expertise of our faculty, expands opportunity for our students, and strengthens Idaho's position in an industry that is vital to our nation's future. Boise State is proud to be both a rising research powerhouse and a student-centered university committed to building the semiconductor workforce our country needs."

The primary goals of this center are to revolutionize and drastically lower the energy cost of AI through research, establish Boise State's national research competitiveness as a leader in semiconductor research and education, and improve the opportunity and educational experiences of students going into semiconductor industries.

The CREST award catapults Boise State forward as a leader of semiconductor education and research in Idaho by coalescing the existing strengths of multiple award-winning research teams, transformative educational and mentoring pathways, and existing research infrastructure into a single "AWESOME" center.

"This is an award that primarily provides opportunity for students to get into the semiconductor industry, and adds a layer of ability and opportunity that we haven't had in the past, and our school is primed to take advantage of that. We have capacity in our classrooms. We have the connections with industry. It's really exciting," said Eric Jankowski, principal investigator and director of Boise State's Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering.

To accomplish these outcomes, research team members will leverage existing institutional, state and industry investments to combine and advance research in the fabrication of new materials that increase computing throughput and reduce energy demands.

The center will also help position Boise State as an "R1" institution and a leader in semiconductor research where scholarship and student support are united.

"This historic award from the National Science Foundation underscores the strength of Boise State's faculty and their commitment to shaping the future of engineering and workforce development in Idaho," College of Engineering Dean Amy Fleischer said. "The AWESOME Center will provide students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, research, and innovate in semiconductors, an industry critical to Idaho and our nation. I am especially proud that this center unites education, research, and mentorship to prepare the next generation of engineers who will drive innovation and economic growth."

To advance education, mentorship and foster workforce development, the team will develop and implement modern computing courses and resources for Vertically Integrated Projects to create accessible on-ramps, educational opportunities and a robust mentoring program for students. This will serve Idaho's communities and foster a shared purpose and governance in support of a growing semiconductor workforce.

The interdisciplinary awarded team includes; principal investigator and director of the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE), Jankowski; professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Community Engagement, Leslie Atkins; director of the Institute for Inclusive and Transformative Scholarship, James Fredricksen; associate professor in materials science and associate director of research in MSMSE, Elton Graugnard; professor of materials science and engineering, Lan Li; professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Microelectronics Education and Research Center, Kurtis Cantley; and assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, Karthik Srinivasan.

Division of Research and Economic Development award support staff include: Center for Research and Creative Activity personnel; pre-award research administrator, Adam Musser; grants and contracts officer, Ariana Azar-Farr; and senior supervisory sponsored project administrator, Jessica Foxworthy.

"This award is a recognition of decades-long effort across Boise State faculty, research administrators, industry partners and staff around strategy and teamwork that has built the foundation for this historic partnership," said Jankowski. "It's truly an example of Boise State's innovative thinking and we're so excited to show off the work of our AWESOME students!"

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