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Purdue University has announced a master research agreement (MRA) with GlobalFoundries (GF), a leading manufacturer of essential semiconductors, significantly expanding the university’s research capabilities and bolstering the talent pipeline in the semiconductor ecosystem.
The MRA builds upon a strategic partnership first announced in November 2022, creating a formalized, streamlined framework for multiple collaborative projects.
Under the unified framework, the agreement enables new research initiatives to launch quickly and efficiently, accelerating innovation in semiconductor technology.
“The MRA between Purdue and GF represents a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between these two distinguished institutions. It establishes a streamlined framework for researchers and experts from both organizations to collaborate on topics of shared interest and advance high-impact research and innovation,” said Mark Lundstrom, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. “In the past year, Purdue and GF have started collaborating on multiple projects in the fields of semiconductor technologies, AI hardware, silicon photonics and chip security.”
Lundstrom said this public-private partnership serves as a model on how strategic partnerships span collaborative technology innovation, workforce development and the student talent pipeline.
National leadership in microelectronics and semiconductors is a core component of Purdue Computes, a comprehensive university initiative that emphasizes four key pillars of Purdue’s extensive technological and computational environment: computing departments, physical AI, quantum science and semiconductor innovation.
GlobalFoundries manufactures specialized integrated circuits for fabless customers — those who design chips but do not own fabrication plants. Together with its customers, GlobalFoundries delivers high-performance, power-efficient semiconductor solutions for automotive, aerospace and defense, data centers, smart mobile devices and the Internet of Things.
The multifaceted collaboration between Purdue and GlobalFoundries will include joint research and development programs conducted in partnership with university students and faculty. The agreement provides opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to work on cutting-edge semiconductor technologies while advancing research and development of key innovations.
Through its university collaborations, GlobalFoundries provides academic partners with access to its differentiated technologies and engineering support, enabling students and faculty to bring their chip designs to manufacturing through the company’s multi-project wafer runs.
“Collaboration between industry and academia is essential to advancing semiconductor innovation and developing the skilled workforce that will power the next generation of technology,” said Gregg Bartlett, chief technology officer at GlobalFoundries. “This agreement builds on our strong relationship with Purdue and creates new opportunities for students, faculty and GF researchers to work together on real-world challenges that can help shape the future of our industry.”
The partnership’s impact extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. Since 2023, GlobalFoundries has hosted students from Purdue’s Summer Training, Awareness, and Readiness for Semiconductors (STARS) program at its U.S. headquarters and fabrication facility.
As part of the Purdue at GlobalFoundries Day, the students were able to see firsthand how the knowledge and skills they gained through their academic learning in manufacturing and packaging translate into real-world semiconductor production.
Further illustrating its prowess in this sector, Purdue was the first university in the country to launch a comprehensive set of innovative, interdisciplinary degrees and credentials in semiconductors and microelectronics.
The Semiconductor Degrees Program, the suite of innovative Purdue degrees and credentials, will educate both graduate and undergraduate students, enabling a ramp-up of skilled talent and creating the next generation of a trained semiconductor workforce to reassert American preeminence in this critical industry.
