About Emerging Research Initiatives

Applying Collaborative Research to New Horizons

An SRC emerging research initiative is an effort to create synergistic opportunities between the semiconductor industry and other sectors. These newest areas of investigation form an integral component of SRC's long-term strategy to address innovative applications research—research in the adjacent spaces for both SRC members and non-members. While they apply the same revolutionary pre-competitive collaborative research methodologies that made SRC pioneers in the semiconductor industry, and so are expected to garner big-time results, Emerging research initiatives involve relatively short-term commitments from industry and academia.

How to Start an Emerging Research Initiative

The following sections will outline the process for starting an Emerging Research Initiative. Companies who choose to participate will ask SRC to solicit university research proposals for critique and approval by the companies that have committed funds. The funding participants may assign appropriate technical advisory groups to help oversee the program. The funding participants will also appoint a representative from their company to serve on a Governing Council for the newly formed Emerging Research Initiative.

Eligibility

• Non-SRC members are eligible to participate.
• Current SRC members are eligible to participate but are not required. Should they choose to participate, they will contribute funds incremental to their SRC member fees.

Funding

• Funding will be derived from fees provided for each specific Emerging Research Initiative. Funding participants will determine the total level of funding for each Emerging Research Initiative.
• The funding level for each Emerging Research Initiative will be divided equally among members participating, unless they agree in advance to a different arrangement prior to the time the research awards are granted.

Administrative Considerations

• The SRC Board of Directors will approve the topic and funding, including management expenses, for each Emerging Research Initiative.
• Funding will typically be for three years, but one- or two-year commitments may be considered. An Emerging Research Initiative can be extended if members desire.
• Research results and IP resulting from the Emerging Research Initiative will be available only to the participants funding the Emerging Research Initiative on a non-exclusive basis, consistent with SRC IP policies.
• Technical direction of the Emerging Research Initiative will be set by a Technical Advisory Board comprising representatives of the Emerging Research Initiative participating members.
• Contracts will be written between SRC and the selected university using standard SRC contract procedures.

Determining Awards

• Funding participants in an Emerging Research Initiative will work with SRC to prepare Requests for Proposals appropriate for the funding commitment made for a particular Emerging Research Initiative.
• Funding participants in an Emerging Research Initiative will identify representatives who will review white papers and proposals.