The ESD grant will combine with $16M that was part of a $44M investment in SUNY Poly announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in November 

UTICA, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is the recipient of a $4 million Empire State Development Grant. This new funding — combined with an additional $16 million investment in SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering announced by Hochul in November — will support the establishment of a $26.5 million Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center in the NY CREATES Quad C building located on SUNY Poly’s campus, which is also occupied by Semikron Danfoss.  

As the university continues to chart its path as the State and nation’s premier public polytechnic, the facility will serve as an epicenter for semiconductor research, education, and training, with a goal to increase graduates across advanced manufacturing disciplines by 10 percent in the next four years.  

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, as well as State and local officials were on campus to celebrate today’s announcement, as the Center will be a one-stop shop for semiconductor manufacturing. Moreover, it will offer highly specialized educational opportunities that align with the needs of the region’s burgeoning tech industries and prepare students for high-demand jobs. 

Semiconductor and supply chain companies Wolfspeed, Danfoss, Micron, Indium, Marquardt Switches, Menlo Micro, and NoMIS Power, along with NY CREATES, will be collaborating with SUNY Poly, as well as Working Solutions - the Workforce Development Board of Utica, Fulton Montgomery Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, and Onondaga Community College to establish a curriculum with wraparound services for jobs in the industry that includes device processing for power electronics, optoelectronics, and clean energy applications, as well as their unique packaging needs. 

“We are grateful for the investments New York State has been making in SUNY Poly,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “Our new Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center will have a transformational impact on individual lives and families, the Mohawk Valley, New York State, and beyond. We look forward to working with our partners to meet the workforce needs of the rapidly growing semiconductor industry – and to helping students access the education they need to benefit from the opportunities associated with the unprecedented growth and innovation happening here." 

More details about the Center 

SUNY Poly’s Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center is being established to prepare the future semiconductor workforce by providing deep theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring students develop a full understanding of the packaging, processing, and testing workflow, as well as the attention-to-detail needed to produce devices with the required yield and performance functionality. The Center will allow for both silicon device processing and packaging as well as SiC, GaN, AlN and their alloys, and Ga2O3 devices. 

In addition to educating and training traditional engineering students, SUNY Poly – through the Center – will also provide several workforce development training and upskilling opportunities for industry partners and their employees, as well as those seeking to gain entrance into the semiconductor workforce. Some of these opportunities for career enhancement will include non-credit bearing professional certificates and microcredentials along with credit-bearing stackable microcredentials. 

The $4 million ESD Capital Grant will be used primarily to fund metrology equipment for the Center, which will boast 5,000 square feet of cleanroom space. The Center will also have two classrooms that can seat 30 students each, in addition to office space for scientists, postdocs, and students.  

To view the Governor's release, click here.