Help expand the national defense microelectronics workforce pipeline.

SCALE invites universities to submit a brief statement of interest and capabilities for potential participation in the SCALE consortium. Selected institutions will help advance SCALE’s mission to prepare the next generation of U.S. microelectronics talent for national security, defense, and the defense industrial base.

REQUEST FOR SOLUTIONS REVISION - Posted on 29 June 2026

The government has revised the RFS. The revision includes a change to the submission deadline and notification that non-Government personnel will be utilized in the review and evaluation of submitted solutions.

Submission Deadline: July 10, 2026

Have questions? Interested in learning more?

SCALE Co-Director Dr. Peter Bermel hosted a webinar on Monday, June 29.

Click here for webinar slides.

Click here for session Q&A discussion.

Click here to watch the webinar.

Submission Format

5 page write up

Audience

Universities & Academic Institutions

Status

Open opportunity

REQUEST FOR SOLUTIONS

THE OPPORTUNITY

SCALE is seeking interest from universities with relevant capabilities in microelectronics education, research, workforce development, and student engagement. This request is intended to identify potential academic partners who can contribute to SCALE’s public-private-academic partnership.

Submissions should describe the institution’s strengths, relevant programs, student populations served, technical focus areas, and potential contributions to SCALE.

WHAT SCALE IS LOOKING FOR

TECHNICAL ALIGNMENT

Capabilities connected to SCALE technical verticals including Radiation Hardening, HIAP, System-on-Chip, Compound Semiconductors, and Trusted AI.

WORKFORCE IMPACT

Ability to recruit, mentor, train, and place students into defense microelectronics pathways.

PARTNERSHIP READINESS

Commitment to collaboration with universities, industry, government, and defense partners.

ACADEMIC CAPACITY

Relevant courses, faculty expertise, labs, facilities, and student support structures.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested universities should submit a write-up of up to five pages that includes:

  1. Institutional overview and proposed role in SCALE

  2. Relevant microelectronics education and research opportunities

  3. Faculty, facilities, courses, or programs that align with the SCALE mission

  4. Student populations served and workforce development approach

  5. Potential contributions to SCALE partnerships, mentoring, internships, and curriculum

  6. Primary point of contact

TIMELINE

Request Posted

June 19, 2026

Questions Due

July 8, 2026

Submissions Due

July 10, 2026

Review Period

July - September 2026

Follow-Up Discussions

No later than October 2026

HOW TO SUBMIT

Use the link below to send the completed 5-page write-up as a PDF to:

Dr. Peter Bermel, Purdue University

Subject Line: SCALE University RFS Submission - [Institution name]

QUESTIONS?

For questions about this opportunity, contact: pbermel@purdue.edu