Florida has become a significant hub for the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, with numerous companies, high-wage jobs, and major economic contributions resulting from strategic investments in workforce development and infrastructure.
To address the growing need for skilled professionals in this sector, the Florida High Tech Corridor and the University of South Florida (USF) have partnered to train graduate students in semiconductor and microelectronics technology. This initiative aims to reinforce Florida’s position in an industry that is closely tied to economic growth and national security.
Graduate students at USF are participating in the National Science Foundation’s National Research Traineeship (NRT) program, which emphasizes semiconductor design, manufacturing, and packaging. The program aligns with statewide efforts to rebuild domestic semiconductor capacity.
“The future of the semiconductor industry depends on people as much as technology,” said Corridor CEO Paul A. Sohl. “By investing in the training of the next generation of leaders, we’re ensuring Florida has the talent needed to drive innovation, strengthen our economy, and compete globally in this vital sector for decades to come.”
The Science, Technology, Engineering Program for Upward Partnership (STEP-UP) for Advancing Microelectronics Education and Training recently received the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Institute’s Workforce Development Program of Excellence Award at an event held during the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Summit in Orlando. The award highlights successful workforce development programs that help expand a job-ready talent pipeline for the state’s semiconductor industry.
As part of their collaboration with USF, The Corridor provides additional financial support to NRT trainees who do not qualify for external fellowships. This support builds on a five-year $3 million grant from NSF awarded to USF in 2024 aimed at creating an experiential education and research program focused on next-generation microelectronics. The initiative is led by Ashok Kumar from USF College of Engineering along with a multidisciplinary faculty team specializing in various engineering fields as well as innovation and entrepreneurship.
“A much-publicized semiconductor chips shortage has impacted several critical industries. A skilled and diverse pipeline of workers is critical to building a sustainable domestic semiconductor industry and to achieving the CHIPS Act economic and national security goals,” said Kumar, principal investigator of NSF NRT. “This NRT grant will provide to better prepare master’s and doctoral students for the interdisciplinary talents required in semiconductor chip development.”
Graduate trainees benefit from annual stipends totaling $68,000—split between NSF NRT funding and additional support through The Corridor—as well as paid tuition and fees. In addition to financial assistance, participants receive hands-on research experience; interdisciplinary training; professional development opportunities including entrepreneurship, leadership skills training; communication; project management; access to certificate programs; summer internships; international research experiences; all designed to prepare them for leadership roles within global semiconductors.
An advisory board consisting of leaders from both academia and industry guides these programs. The effort also engages with organizations such as the Florida Semiconductor Institute and collaborates with initiatives like the Florida Semiconductor Engine based at NeoCityFL in Osceola County.
