UB, SUNY centers key players in NYS semiconductor initiative

UB and the three other SUNY university centers will be key players in the new SUNY - NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute (TII) that will advance semiconductor research and workforce development in New York State.

The initiative, announced by Chancellor John B. King Jr., will support the state’s leadership in next-generation semiconductor innovation by leveraging the world-class infrastructure at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex so leading faculty researchers at UB, Stony Brook University, Binghamton University and the University at Albany can connect directly with experts from the industry consortia partners on-site.

SUNY-NY Creates TII will address high-impact, industry-relevant challenges by fostering academic-industry collaboration, facilitating recruitment of top faculty researchers and cultivating a pipeline of skilled talent graduating from SUNY academic programs.

Specifically, the SUNY – NY Creates TII will work to: 

• Establish a TII SUNY Corridor, which includes SUNY’s university centers and aligns with New York State’s growing semiconductor corridor.

• Create a TII Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
• Establish sustainable technology offerings, such as access to semiconductor wafer services that include access to unique prototyping facilities at NY Creates and opportunities for students to experiment and learn, and startup businesses to establish proof-of-concept initiatives in microelectronics design infrastructure in New York State. 

“The SUNY - NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute will bring the best in higher education and industry together to help inspire the next generation of researchers and professionals,” King said. “The institute will benefit industry leaders who make New York their home, as well as our extraordinary faculty who are leading groundbreaking research and preparing the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs.”

President Satish K. Tripathi said UB is proud to be part of the SUNY - NY Creates TII “and we look forward to collaborating with our industry partners and SUNY colleagues to position New York State at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing.”

“This impactful initiative will expand opportunities for our students, create strategic partnerships and drive breakthroughs that strengthen the innovation economy. We thank Gov. Hochul and Chancellor King for their commitment to our scholarly community, and to advancing the state’s leadership in research and technology.”

As the SUNY - NY Creates TII ramps up in the first two years, SUNY and NY Creates will contribute nearly $4 million to initially support: 

• Faculty-industry research projects through initial seed grants, which are expected to be awarded during the spring 2026 semester. 

• Increases in the number of faculty, postdocs and students involved in projects and internships, beginning in fall 2026, that will be located at the NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex.
• Creating endowed professorships to recruit top researchers.