SMART USA Hits 100 Members—Next Phase Begins!
Onward to Impact
SMART USA has officially completed its Phase 1 startup—and what a launch it’s been. In just nine months, we’ve welcomed 100+ committed members, hosted a 350-person summit, and issued our first $50+ million project solicitation, which drew an exceptionally strong collaborative response from academics and industry across the country. These milestones reflect not only the urgency of our mission but the strength and connections of our community.
With Phase 1 goals fully achieved, we now move Onward to Impact—entering the Implementation phase with momentum, clarity, and a shared commitment to transforming American semiconductor manufacturing through digital twins.
“SMART USA is more than a consortium—it’s a movement. The energy and engagement we’ve seen in Phase 1 prove that this community is ready to collaborate,” said David N. Henshall, Chief Operations Officer. “Now, we shift from building the foundation to delivering real-world impact.”
Phase 1: Mission Accomplished
SMART USA launched on January 3, 2025 with bold goals—and together, we delivered.
Over the course of nine months, the Institute:
- Welcomed 100+ Members from across 22 states and D.C., representing startups, universities, nonprofits, and global manufacturers with strong alignment to domestic semiconductor capabilities (design, manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly and test). View our members.
- Hosted the SMART USA Summit, drawing over 350 attendees and 45 speakers to DC for two days of intense collaboration, innovation, and community building. Watch the highlights reel.
- Issued a $50M Project Solicitation, attracting 135 submissions from 90 organizations, requesting over $123M in funding.
- Secured extensive non-federal contributions, demonstrating strong private-sector commitment to the Institute’s mission.
- Established strong governance, marked by the launch of the Project Portfolio Board and Strategic Governing Council, and the election of Carroll Thomas, Richard Gottscho, Mark Liu, Chris Miller, Manish Muthal, and John Neuffer to the Board of Directors.
- Released MAPT Roadmap Version 2.0, featuring a new chapter on Digital Twins and Applications, aligning national strategy with SMART USA’s mission.
All Phase 1 milestones and deliverables were met on time or ahead of schedule. This progress sets the stage for SMART USA’s next chapter: delivering technical, workforce, and institutional impact at scale.
What’s Next: Implementation Begins
With Phase 1 complete, SMART USA now enters the Implementation phase—where vision becomes action. In the months ahead, the Institute will:
- Release Additional Solicitations, offering new opportunities for members to propose impactful research and development initiatives.
- Launch Projects from the initial $50M solicitation, advancing both industry solutions and workforce development.
- Develop Standards and Shared Capabilities that enable interoperability and accelerate adoption across the semiconductor ecosystem.
- Advance the SMART Backbone Prototype, laying the groundwork for a shared digital twin infrastructure to support collaborative innovation.
- Launch the SMART USA Marketplace, a platform to connect members with digital twin-related tools, technologies, and training.
Organizations interested in participating in future solicitations are encouraged to join SMART USA early. Active membership is required to submit proposals, and completing membership agreements in advance helps ensure a smooth and timely submission process. Delays in onboarding could mean missing critical windows—so don’t wait.
