Texas Grants $700K to UT Dallas for Semiconductor Training Cleanroom

The funding will establish a hands-on facility to prepare students and workers for high-tech semiconductor jobs.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:40pm

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Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) is providing a $700,000 grant to the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) to build a small-scale training cleanroom on its campus. The new facility will offer hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing processes, safety protocols, and cleanroom operations to students, community college attendees, and new hires at semiconductor firms across North Texas.

Why it matters

Texas has positioned itself as a national leader in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing. This investment in UT Dallas' workforce development initiatives aims to ensure the state maintains its competitive edge by cultivating a robust pipeline of skilled semiconductor professionals for years to come.

The details

The training cleanroom will be located in the Research Operations West (ROW) building on the UT Dallas campus, which also houses the Center for Harsh Environment Semiconductors and Systems. The project will equip the facility with the necessary tools and equipment to teach participants about basic cleanroom operations, safety procedures, and semiconductor processing techniques.

  • Governor Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law in 2023 to establish the TSIF and Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium.
  • The $700,000 TSIF grant to UT Dallas was announced on April 10, 2026.

The players

Governor Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who announced the TSIF grant to UT Dallas.

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)

A public research university in Dallas that will use the TSIF grant to establish a semiconductor training cleanroom on its campus.

Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio

The Vice President for Research and Innovation at UT Dallas.

Senator Bob Hall

A Texas state senator who praised the investment in UT Dallas' semiconductor workforce initiatives.

Texas CHIPS Office

A division within the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office in the Office of the Governor that administers the TSIF and Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium programs.

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What they’re saying

“Texas is where the workforce of tomorrow is training for the high-skill, in-demand jobs that support continuous innovation in technology.”

— Governor Greg Abbott

“The University of Texas at Dallas expresses its gratitude for the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium and the Texas CHIPS Office for their leadership in enhancing semiconductor activities within Texas.”

— Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio, Vice President for Research and Innovation, UT Dallas

“Texas continues to lead the nation in innovation, and investments like this ensure that leadership endures for generations.”

— Senator Bob Hall

What’s next

The new semiconductor training cleanroom at UT Dallas is expected to open and begin offering hands-on programs for students and workers in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

This grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund demonstrates the state's commitment to cultivating a highly skilled semiconductor workforce that can support the industry's continued growth and innovation in Texas for years to come.