Governor Greg Abbott has announced a $12 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to Texas Tech University. The funding will be used for a nanotechnology laboratory cleanroom facility at the university’s Semiconductor Nanofabrication Center in Lubbock.
“Texas is where innovations in semiconductor research and development power future technologies,” said Governor Abbott. “With this TSIF grant, Texas Tech University will accelerate advanced research on next-generation semiconductors and provide hands-on training to enhance workforce readiness. Working together with our higher education partners, we prepare Texas students today for the in-demand jobs of tomorrow.”
The project involves Texas Tech University and the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, which will construct and equip the new cleanroom facility to support semiconductor research and workforce training in manufacturing. The cleanroom is expected to facilitate innovation in areas such as solid-state lasers, energy projection and detection components, sensors, and ultra-light high-power electronics.
“We are grateful for the support of the Governor’s Office and the confidence it reflects in Texas Tech University,” said Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec. “This investment strengthens our ability to contribute to the state’s growing semiconductor ecosystem through research, innovation, and workforce development. It also affirms the important role that higher education plays in advancing the competitiveness and economic strength of Texas.”
Senator Charles Perry commented on the broader impact: “This investment is about keeping Texas competitive and secure in an increasingly technology-driven world. By supporting advanced semiconductor research and workforce training at Texas Tech, we’re strengthening our supply chain, preparing Texans for high-paying jobs, and ensuring innovation happens here at home—not overseas.”
Representative Carl Tepper added: “We appreciate Governor Abbott’s investment in Texas Tech, and we’re proud to be recognized as a leading research institution on the national and global stage. The resulting innovations transform into tangible advancements for all of Texas and beyond.”
Governor Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law in 2023, establishing both TSIF—a grant program aimed at maintaining state leadership in semiconductor research—and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (TSIC). These initiatives are managed by the Texas CHIPS Office, part of his executive office focused on economic development, education enhancement, job growth, and fostering innovation throughout Texas.
