From smartphones and computers to cars, nearly all modern technologies rely on high-performance microchips. In Germany, the demand for these chips far surpasses domestic production. Most leading semiconductor manufacturers are based in Asia and North America, supplying microchips to producers around the world. To boost chip production in Europe and reinforce Germany's position as a hub for chip design innovation, the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg (MWK) has approved the creation of the virtual Karlsruhe Chip Design House (KCH) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Scheduled to be established on KIT’s South Campus by 2027, the initiative will also include the introduction of a new master’s degree program.
“The demand for powerful and efficient chips for digital transformation continues to grow”, explains Professor Mehdi B. Tahoori from the Institute of Computer Engineering at KIT. “Most of the sales are made by chip giants outside Europe. The energy crisis in particular, when we had to shut down our production due to electricity costs, showed the great dependence on imports, for example for silicon chips produced in Asia”.
“It is urgently necessary to promote production and its development opportunities in Europe in order to reduce critical global dependencies and secure the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe”, says Professor Oliver Kraft, representing the President. “The KCH brings together cutting-edge research in the field of chip design. With its expertise, the KIT is the right location for this”.
With the planned KIT Chip Design House (KCH), KIT wants to take a leading role in the coordination of chip design in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. The focus is on comprehensive training for specialists in chip design. “At the KCH, we want to develop an interdisciplinary master’s degree program in chip design together with partners”, says Professor Jürgen Becker from the KIT Institute of Information Processing Technology. “In addition to practice-oriented lectures, this should also offer workshops and events with experts from industry that will provide comprehensive training for future specialists and managers”.
To strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem in the EU, the regulation on the European Chips Act 2023 was adopted as a package of measures. “The European Chips Act aims to promote semiconductor production and development opportunities in Europe”, explains Becker. “Within this Chips Act, we want to pool and expand competencies and networks in a targeted manner. The close integration with industry is an important building block, among other things through the targeted expansion of interdisciplinary training and further education in chip design at KIT”.
The MWK is supporting the KIT Chipdesign House through the BEGIN funding initiative with approximately one million euros until 2027. As "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association," KIT generates and shares knowledge for societal and environmental advancement. The goal is to address major global challenges in energy, mobility, and information. To achieve this, about 10,000 employees collaborate across various disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, economics, and humanities and social sciences. KIT educates its 22,800 students through research-oriented programs, preparing them for significant roles in society, business, and academia. KIT’s innovation efforts link knowledge with practical application for the benefit of society, economic growth, and the preservation of natural resources. Recognized as one of Germany’s universities of excellence, KIT continues to lead in these areas.
