---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 19331"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "19331"
heading: "Microelectronics research for energy innovation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/19331"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter VI — Miscellaneous Science and Technology Provisions"
  - "Part I — Micro Act"
---

# §19331. Microelectronics research for energy innovation

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Center—** The term “[Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17)” means a Microelectronics Science Research [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) established pursuant to [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (2) **Department—** The term “[Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2)” means the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2) of Energy.
  - (3) **Director—** The term “[Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1)” means the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) of the Office of Science.
  - (4) **Historically Black college or university—** The term “historically Black college or university” has the meaning given the term “[part B institution](/usc/42/18901.md?p=12)” in [section 1061 of title 20](/usc/20/1061.md).
  - (5) **Institution of higher education—** The term “[institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13)” has the meaning given the term in [section 1001(a) of title 20](/usc/20/1001.md?p=a).
  - (6) **Microelectronics—** The term “microelectronics” means—
    - (A) a semiconductor and related materials;
    - (B) processing chemistries;
    - (C) design technologies;
    - (D) fabrication technologies;
    - (E) lithography technologies;
    - (F) packaging technologies;
    - (G) a sensor;
    - (H) a device;
    - (I) an integrated circuit;
    - (J) a processor;
    - (K) computing architecture;
    - (L) modeling and simulation;
    - (M) a software tool; and
    - (N) any other related technology.
  - (7) **Minority-serving institution—** The term “[minority-serving institution](/usc/42/18901.md?p=19)” means—
    - (A) a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in [section 1101a(a) of title 20](/usc/20/1101a.md?p=a));
    - (B) an Alaska Native-serving institution (as defined in [section 1059d(b) of title 20](/usc/20/1059d.md?p=b));
    - (C) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in that section);
    - (D) a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in [section 1067q(c) of title 20](/usc/20/1067q.md?p=c));
    - (E) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in that section); and
    - (F) a Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in that section).
  - (8) **National Laboratory—** The term “[National Laboratory](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7)” has the meaning given the term in [section 15801 of this title](/usc/42/15801.md).
  - (9) **Program—** The term “program” means the program established under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1).
  - (10) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) of Energy.
  - (11) **Skilled technical workforce—** The term “skilled technical workforce” has the meaning given the term in [section 4(b)(3)](/usc/42/4.md) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act ([42 U.S.C. 1862p](/usc/42/1862p.md) note; Public Law 115–402).
  - (12) **Tribal College or University—** The term “[Tribal College or University](/usc/42/18901.md?p=30)” has the meaning given the term in [section 1059c of title 20](/usc/20/1059c.md).
  - (13) **Work-based learning—** The term “work-based learning” has the meaning given the term in [section 2302 of title 20](/usc/20/2302.md).
- (b) **Findings—** Congress finds that—
  - (1) the coming end of Moore’s Law presents major technological challenges and opportunities for the United States and has important implications for national security, economic competitiveness, and scientific discovery;
  - (2) future progress and innovation in microelectronics, and the maintenance of a robust domestic microelectronics supply chain, will require an approach that advances relevant materials science, electronic and photonic device technologies, processing and packaging technologies, manufacturing technologies, circuit, chip, and system architecture, and software system and algorithm development in a codesign fashion;
  - (3) the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7) possess unique technical expertise and user facilities that are essential to—
    - (A) overcoming foundational research challenges relevant to the topics described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2); and
    - (B) translating and transferring research outcomes to industry; and
  - (4) the expertise and user facilities of the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7) described in [paragraph (3)](#b-3) will enable the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2) to drive advances in microelectronics that are essential to meeting future needs in areas critical to the missions of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2) and the future competitiveness of the domestic microelectronics industry, including high-performance computing, emerging data-centric computing approaches and energy-efficient computing, optical sensors, sources, and wireless networks, and power electronics and electricity delivery systems.
- (c) **Microelectronics research program—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall carry out a crosscutting program of research, development, and demonstration of microelectronics relevant to the missions of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2) to enable advances and breakthroughs that will—
    - (A) accelerate underlying research and development for design, development, and manufacturability of next-generation microelectronics; and
    - (B) ensure the global competitiveness of the United States in the field of microelectronics.
  - (2) **Research projects—**
    - (A) **In general—** In carrying out the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities described in [subparagraph (B)](#c-2-B) to carry out research [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) in—
      - (i) foundational science areas, including—
        - (I) materials sciences, chemical sciences, and plasma science synthesis and fabrication;
        - (II) novel microelectronics devices, including emerging memory and storage technologies;
        - (III) diverse computing architectures and paradigms, including analog computing and edge computing;
        - (IV) data-driven modeling and simulation;
        - (V) integrated sensing, power harvesting, and communications;
        - (VI) component integration and subsystems;
        - (VII) photonic integration and packaging; and
        - (VIII) development of codesign frameworks for all stages of microelectronics design, development, fabrication, and application;
      - (ii) cybersecurity by design to result in trusted and resilient microelectronics;
      - (iii) methods for leveraging advanced simulation and [artificial intelligence](/usc/42/18901.md?p=1) to enhance codesign and discovery in microelectronics;
      - (iv) in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, fabrication and processing science and metrology associated with microelectronics manufacturing, including lithography, patterning, surface deposition, etching, and cleaning;
      - (v) approaches for optimizing system-level energy efficiency of advanced computing systems, the electrical grid, power electronics, and other energy infrastructure;
      - (vi) approaches for enhancing the durability and lifetime of radiation-hardened electronics;
      - (vii) enhancement of microelectronics security, including the development of integrated devices, packages, and thermal management for severe environments and national security;
      - (viii) in coordination with other relevant initiatives of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2), methods to improve the lifetime, maintenance, recycling, reuse, and sustainability of microelectronics components and systems, including technologies and strategies that reduce the use of energy, water, critical materials, and other commodities that the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) determines are vulnerable to disruption; and
      - (ix) methods and techniques for domestic processing of materials for microelectronics and components of microelectronics.
    - (B) **Eligible entities—** An eligible entity referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A) is—
      - (i) an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13), including a historically Black college or university, a [Tribal College or University](/usc/42/18901.md?p=30), and a [minority-serving institution](/usc/42/18901.md?p=19);
      - (ii) a [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) research organization;
      - (iii) a [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) research [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
      - (iv) a [National Laboratory](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7);
      - (v) a private commercial entity;
      - (vi) a partnership or [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) of 2 or more entities described in clauses [(i)](#c-2-B-i) through [(v)](#c-2-B-v); and
      - (vii) any other entity that the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) determines appropriate.
    - (C) **Notification—** Not later than 30 days after the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) provides financial assistance to an eligible entity under [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a notification of the financial assistance provided, including—
      - (i) the criteria used by the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) to select the eligible entity receiving the financial assistance;
      - (ii) the manner in which the criteria described in [clause (i)](#c-2-C-i) comport with the purposes of the program described in [paragraph (1)](#c-1); and
      - (iii) a description of the research [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that the eligible entity will carry out using the financial assistance.
  - (3) **Technology transfer—** In carrying out the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) of the Office of Technology Transitions and in consultation with the private sector, shall—
    - (A) support translational research and transfer of microelectronics technologies; and
    - (B) identify emerging research and development needs of industry and government for the benefit of United States economic competitiveness.
  - (4) **Workforce development—** In carrying out the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall support—
    - (A) workforce development through existing authorities and mechanisms available to the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2), including internships, fellowships, individual investigator [grants](/usc/42/19291.md?p=5), and other activities the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) determines appropriate; and
    - (B) in consultation with the National Science [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11), as appropriate, education and outreach activities—
      - (i) to disseminate information and promote understanding of microelectronics and related fields among students at elementary school, secondary school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels; and
      - (ii) that may include educational programming with an emphasis on experiential and [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)-based learning.
  - (5) **Outreach—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall conduct outreach to recruit applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  - (6) **Coordination—** In carrying out the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall—
    - (A) coordinate across all relevant programs and offices of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2); and
    - (B) coordinate the research carried out under the program relating to microelectronics with activities carried out by other Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and programs relating to microelectronics research, development, manufacturing, and supply chain security, including the programs authorized under subsections (c) through (f) of [section 4656 of title 15](/usc/15/4656.md).
  - (7) **Report—** Not later than 180 days after August 9, 2022, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the goals, priorities, and anticipated outcomes of the program.
  - (8) **Funding—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) to carry out this subsection—
    - (A) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
    - (B) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
    - (C) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
    - (D) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and
    - (E) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
- (d) **Microelectronics Science Research Centers—**
  - (1) **In general—** In carrying out the program, subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) shall establish not more than 4 Microelectronics Science Research [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17), each comprising 1 or more eligible entities—
    - (A) to conduct mission-driven research to address foundational challenges in the design, development, characterization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication of microelectronics; and
    - (B) to facilitate the translation of research results to industry.
  - (2) **Eligible entities—** An eligible entity referred to in [paragraph (1)](#d-1) is—
    - (A) a [National Laboratory](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7);
    - (B) an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13), including a historically Black college or university, a [Tribal College or University](/usc/42/18901.md?p=30), and a [minority-serving institution](/usc/42/18901.md?p=19);
    - (C) a private commercial entity;
    - (D) a research [center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17);
    - (E) a partnership or [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) of 2 or more entities described in subparagraphs [(A)](#d-2-A) through [(D)](#d-2-D); and
    - (F) any other entity that the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) determines appropriate.
  - (3) **Activities—** The activities of a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) shall include research, development, and demonstration activities for—
    - (A) accelerating the development of new microelectronics science and technology, including materials, devices, circuits, systems, architectures, fabrication tools, processes, diagnostics, modeling, synthesis, and, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, metrology;
    - (B) advancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of new microelectronics devices, packages, and systems;
    - (C) application-driven codesign and prototyping of novel devices to facilitate laboratory-to-fabrication transition;
    - (D) advancing knowledge and experimental capabilities in surface and materials science, plasma science, and computational and theoretical methods, including [artificial intelligence](/usc/42/18901.md?p=1), multiscale codesign, and advanced supercomputing capabilities to invent and manufacture revolutionary microelectronic devices;
    - (E) creating technology testbeds for prototyping platforms for validation and verification of new capabilities and sharing of ideas, intellectual property, and the unique facilities of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2);
    - (F) supporting development of cybersecurity capabilities for computing architectures that measurably improve safety and security and are adaptable for existing and future applications; and
    - (G) supporting long-term and short-term workforce development in microelectronics.
  - (4) **Request for proposals; merit review—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) shall, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) determines to be appropriate, issue a request for proposals from eligible entities described in [paragraph (2)](#d-2) seeking to be designated as a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17).
    - (B) **Competitive merit review—** The [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) shall select eligible entities under [subparagraph (A)](#d-4-A) through a competitive, merit-based process.
  - (5) **Operation—**
    - (A) **Duration—**
      - (i) **In general—** Each [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) shall operate for a period of not more than 5 years, unless renewed for an additional 5-year period in accordance with [clause (ii)](#d-5-A-ii).
      - (ii) **Renewal—**
        - (I) **Initial renewal—** In the case of a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) that has operated for not more than 5 years, the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) may renew support for the [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years.
        - (II) **10-year operation—**

        In the case of a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) that has operated for not less than 5 years but not more than 10 years, the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) may renew support for the [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years.

        - (III) **15-year operation—**

        In the case of a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) that has operated for not less than 10 years but not more than 15 years, the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) may renew support for the [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years.

    - (B) **Termination—** Consistent with the existing authorities of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2), the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) may terminate an underperforming [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) during the performance period.
  - (6) **Technology transfer—** The [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1), in coordination with the [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) of the Office of Technology Transitions, shall seek to enter into partnerships with industry groups to facilitate the translation and transfer of research results produced by the [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17).
  - (7) **Coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall—
    - (A) establish a coordinating network to coordinate cross-cutting research and foster communication and collaboration among the [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17); and
    - (B) ensure coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication, of the activities of each [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) with the activities of—
      - (i) other research entities of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2), including—
        - (I) the Nanoscale Science Research [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17);
        - (II) the National [Quantum Information Science](/usc/42/18901.md?p=23) Research [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17);
        - (III) the Energy Frontier Research [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17);
        - (IV) the Energy Innovation Hubs;
        - (V) the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/19291.md?p=7); and
        - (VI) other offices of the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2);
      - (ii) the National Semiconductor Technology [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) established under [section 4656(c)(1) of title 15](/usc/15/4656.md?p=c-1);
      - (iii) institutions of higher education;
      - (iv) industry; and
      - (v) relevant research activities carried out by other Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (8) **Workforce development—** Each [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) shall support workforce development through—
    - (A) incorporation of undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and early career researchers, as well as elementary school, secondary school, and high school students, through opportunities such as dual-enrollment programs and work-based learning programs, as applicable;
    - (B) hands-on research and equipment training programs;
    - (C) technical training and certificate programs for the skilled technical workforce;
    - (D) facilitation of engagement among academic, industry, and laboratory researchers; and
    - (E) public outreach activities, including to students at elementary school, secondary school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, which may include educational programming with an emphasis on experiential and [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)-based learning.
  - (9) **Outreach—** The [Director](/usc/42/19184.md?p=1) shall support the workforce development of [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) under [paragraph (8)](#d-8) by conducting outreach to recruit applicants and engage participants from all regions of the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  - (10) **Intellectual property—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall ensure that the intellectual property and value proposition created by the [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) are retained within the United States.
  - (11) **Notification—**
    - (A) **Definition of covered determination—** In this paragraph, the term “covered determination” means a determination of the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8)—
      - (i) to establish a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) under [paragraph (1)](#d-1);
      - (ii) to renew support for a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) under [paragraph (5)(A)(ii)](#d-5-A-ii); or
      - (iii) to terminate a [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) under [paragraph (5)(B)](#d-5-B).
    - (B) **Notification—** Not later than 30 days after the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) makes a covered determination, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a notification of the covered determination, including—
      - (i) the criteria used by the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) to make the covered determination; and
      - (ii) the manner in which the criteria described in [clause (i)](#d-11-B-i) comport with the purposes of the program described in [paragraph (1)](#d-1).
  - (12) **Funding—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Secretary](/usc/42/19291.md?p=8) shall use not more than $25,000,000 to fund each [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10731, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1711.)