Chips JU 2024 Annual Activity Report in Online Format

The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) has released the 2024 edition of its Annual Activity Report in a dynamic online format, offering  an interactive view of its activities in semiconductor technologies and electronic components. The digital version highlights the JU’s role as the central instrument for executing the Chips for Europe Initiative under the expanded mandate of the Chips Act and supporting research and innovation across Europe. 

Throughout 2024, the Chips JU implemented its expanded mandate by deploying a commitment budget of over €1 billion across both the Chips for Europe Initiative and the Electronic Components and Systems Research and Innovation (ECS R&I) programme. In total, 13 calls covering 16 topics were launched during the year, spanning strategic infrastructure, capacity-building actions and collaborative research projects across the semiconductor value chain.

Chips for Europe Initiative

The JU made significant progress in establishing the Chips for Europe Initiative core activities:

  • Pilot Lines: Launch of the call for a pilot line on advanced photonic integrated circuits and progress on the grant agreements of the four pilot lines that were selected in the 2023 calls (NanoIC, APECS, FAMES and WBG)

  • Design Platform: Launch of the design platform call, and selection of the DECIDE proposal, the consortium that will coordinate the European virtual design platform to democratise access to advanced semiconductor technologies across Europe.

  • Chips Competence Centres (CCCs): Launch of two competence centres calls. Under the first one, 27 centres across 25 countries were selected to strengthen European design and manufacturing capabilities. Under the second call, one proposal, aCCCess, was selected to coordinate the network of competence centres. 

  • Quantum Actions: Calls for Framework Partnership Agreements focused on stability-oriented and high-quality trapped-ion quantum chip technologies.

ECS Research & Innovation Programme

In total, 792 beneficiaries participated in ECS-funded projects in 2024, with SMEs representing 24% of participants and receiving 21% of EU funding. Research projects concluded in 2024, such as IMOCO4.E, MATQu, TRANSACT, and TRANSFORM, delivered breakthroughs in intelligent motion control, quantum device materials, distributed safety-critical systems, and wide band-gap power electronics.

In addition, the Chips JU launched three new calls under the ECS R&I part of its programme:

  • Innovation Action (IA) Calls: Higher TRL projects targeting market-ready prototypes and industrial replication.

  • Research and Innovation Action (RIA) Calls: Lower TRL projects exploring new technologies and scientific knowledge.

  • Joint RIA Call with Korea: Encouraged international collaboration on early-stage research projects.

Communications and Outreach

The JU strengthened stakeholder engagement through both internal and external communications:

  • Events: Participation in SEMICON Europa 2024, ECS brokerage events, EFECS 2024 in Ghent, and info sessions for Competence Centres, Design Platform, and Quantum pilots.

  • Press & Media: Coverage of calls, pilot line selections, international collaborations, and leadership updates.

  • Social Media Campaigns: LinkedIn followers grew 74%, with campaigns highlighting the JU objectives, calls, and funded projects to broader audiences.

  • Internal Communication: Regular hybrid staff meetings, monthly management reviews, and new HR intranet tools enhanced internal alignment.

     

     

     

     

 

Financial and Legal Governance

This report also underscores the financial management and internal control of the JU:

  • High budgetary execution, with 99% of commitment appropriations implemented.

  • Transparent governance and strategic alignment with EU policies.

  • Detailed legal and financial frameworks supporting calls, grants, and infrastructure agreements.

Budgetary and financial management

The budget implementation reached 99% in terms of commitment appropriations and 67% in terms of payment appropriations.

  • Total available appropriations reached EUR 1.062.816.190,27 for commitment and EUR 724.397.816,46 for payment appropriations

  • Launch of nine contract procedures

  • Nine recruitment procedures

Interactive and Accessible

The online format allows users to explore funding details, project outcomes, and strategic initiatives with interactive visuals, charts, and data tables, offering a user-friendly way to engage with the Chips JU progress.

Explore the full report here: https://aar2024.chips-ju.europa.eu/annual-report/