China’s natural science fund supports new ‘chiplet’ tech research to advance semiconductor self-sufficiency amid threat of new US sanctions

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a major domestic funding source for basic research and frontier exploration, has launched a new programme to finance dozens of projects focused on “chiplet” technology, which is seen as a short cut for the country to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency amid US sanctions.

The NSFC, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology, plans to provide up to 46 million yuan (US$6.4 million) in funding for as many as 30 research projects to be conducted over a period of three to four years, according to a notice published on its website on Monday. It said applications will be accepted from September 1 through 7.