Semiconductors4All Project Officially Launched: Czech Universities, Research Organisations and Industry Join Forces for the Future of Semiconductors

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication (FEEC) at Brno University of Technology (BUT) hosted the kick-off meeting of the Semiconductors4All (S4A) project in June, marking the launch of one of the Czech Republic’s most significant initiatives in semiconductor technologies. The project brings together leading Czech universities, research organisations and technology companies with the shared goal of strengthening the country's competitiveness in the strategically important semiconductor sector while contributing to Europe's technological sovereignty.

Semiconductors4All – Kick-off Meeting. | Photo: FEEC BUT

With a budget exceeding CZK 500 million, the project brings together a unique consortium of academic and industrial partners covering the entire semiconductor value chain—from research into advanced materials and diagnostic methods, through integrated circuit and sensor design, to power electronics and their applications in energy, transportation, healthcare and quantum technologies.

The project is coordinated by Brno University of Technology, in cooperation with several leading Czech institutions, including the Czech Technical University in Prague, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Masaryk University, Charles University, the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The industrial consortium is equally strong and includes companies such as onsemi, Thermo Fisher Scientific, UJP Praha, Škoda Electric, Elektrotechnika Praha, CRYTUR, ADVACAM, IQS nano, NenoVision, Mycroft Mind, AdvaScope, Meopta, and several other partners.

"Semiconductors are the foundation of today’s digital society and one of the key drivers of future economic prosperity. The Semiconductors4All project brings together leading experts from academia and industry, creating a platform that enables research results to be transferred directly into practical applications. I am proud to be part of such an important initiative and, together with our partners, contribute to the development of the Czech economy and society," said Jiří Háze, Principal Investigator of the project from the Department of Microelectronics at FEEC BUT.

The research activities are organised into three main areas. The first focuses on diagnostics, instrumentation and advanced semiconductor materials; the second on microelectronics, sensors and integrated systems; and the third on power semiconductors, power electronics and energy applications. The project also includes the development of advanced radiation-hard detectors, SiC- and GaN-based power modules, intelligent sensor systems, modern electron microscopy techniques, and technologies for quantum applications.

A key component of the project is the systematic support of technology transfer and the preparation of research outcomes for commercialisation. Close cooperation with industrial partners will enable new technologies to be tested directly in real operating environments and accelerate their implementation in manufacturing. The project will therefore contribute not only to the development of research infrastructure but also to the creation of highly qualified jobs, the establishment of new technology companies and the strengthening of the export potential of the Czech semiconductor industry.

Another important benefit of the project is the active involvement of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as early-career researchers. They will gain valuable experience in an internationally competitive environment and represent a new generation of experts for the rapidly growing semiconductor sector.

The Semiconductors4All project is supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) and is fully aligned with the objectives of the National Semiconductor Strategy. An important role in the project's preparation was also played by the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster (CNSC), which has long supported cooperation between research institutions, industry and public administration.

The kick-off meeting confirmed the exceptional strength and interconnectedness of the Czech semiconductor ecosystem. By combining cutting-edge research, industrial expertise and a shared vision, the project lays the foundations for technologies that have the potential to significantly influence the future of Czech industry and strengthen the Czech Republic’s position within the European semiconductor landscape.

The Semiconductors4All project – TQ28000004 is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the Sigma NCK programme.