The semiconductor industry requires a highly skilled and diverse workforce that can strengthen technology leadership and innovation across ecosystems in the U.S. and Japan. Partnerships between universities and companies are critical to developing semiconductor talent, cross-collaboration and expanding cutting-edge research. 

To address this need, Micron and Tokyo Electron (TEL) launched the U.S.-Japan University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS) for the Future Network alongside university partners. This partnership cultivates a more diverse, robust and highly skilled talent pipeline for the semiconductor workforce and drives emerging research while increasing the pipeline of students studying a semiconductor curriculum. 

Announced in May 2023, this network brings together 11 universities from across the U.S. and Japan to grow the next-generation workforce and advance semiconductor-based research in both countries.

Micron and TEL, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the universities are expected to invest more than $60 million in the network. These funds will support the launch and implementation of this innovative network, which deepens ties between industry and higher education across the U.S. and Japan.

The collaboration amongst the universities will focus on developing the next generation of the workforce, enabling fundamental and emerging research, with a priority to expand opportunities to female students, researchers and leaders. The network will provide access to experiential learning in cleanrooms and memory-related research across institutions, with a particular focus on promoting opportunities for female students, staff and leaders.

Students from all 11 universities will have the opportunity to study at partner institutions and will be encouraged to apply for internships and full time positions at Micron and TEL.

For more information about UPWARDS, please email upwards4thefuture@gmail.com