Allocated to two strategic projects, the €6.4 million in funding was approved in 2025 and enables the implementation of initiatives led in Portugal by the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) and the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL). The funding comes from the Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI), which, as of January 1, became part of AI2 - Agência para a Investigação e Inovação.
The €6.4 million will ensure national co-financing for Portugal’s participation in European projects approved under the Chips Joint Undertaking (CHIPS JU), a central instrument of the European Chips Act.
António Grilo, President of ANI, emphasizes that “by supporting the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and the Instituto de Telecomunicações, we are strengthening scientific capabilities and critical infrastructures that position Portugal as a relevant partner in the European semiconductor value chain, with a direct impact on innovation, competitiveness, and Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
At a time when Europe is seeking greater independence in chip production, especially due to the impact of political measures on semiconductor supply, this area is becoming increasingly important for technological sovereignty.
The sector has more than 30 years of development in Portugal, with several companies and laboratories investing in the growth of the semiconductor industry, alongside international companies that have established investments in the country.
APECS and PIXEurope: two development projects with Portuguese participation
According to information shared by ANI, the supported projects fall under Pillar 1 - the Initiative for Integrated Circuits for Europe. The focus is on developing pilot lines, advanced design platforms, and chip integration and packaging, areas considered critical for strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and consolidating Portugal’s position in the semiconductor value chain.
At INL, the funding “supports participation in the European Pilot Line project focused on advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration of electronic components, reinforcing national infrastructures and skills in key areas of microelectronics.”
The project supported by IT ensures Portugal’s participation in PIXEurope, the European Pilot Line consortium dedicated to the development of advanced integrated photonic circuits, with a direct impact on the country’s scientific, technological, and industrial capacity.
The PIXEurope project brings together leading research institutes to implement the first complete, open-access pilot line, which is essential for strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty in the field of integrated optical circuits. It enables large-scale manufacturing of integrated optical circuits for communications, sensing, and advanced computing, highlights José Carlos Pedro, President of Instituto de Telecomunicações.
Through PIXEurope Portugal, supported by CHIPS JU and ANI, IT will be able to promote support for national and European startups in the prototyping and testing of integrated optical circuits.