Semi-Conductor Study

Description

The Semiconductor Unit in DSIT has secured ISF funding over 3 years for a Hardware Security Research Platform. Its aim is to accelerate commercial adoption of hardware security solutions by lowering the cost of solutions development, facilitating researcher/industry engagement, and researcher access to industry-grade resources and tape-outs. The project idea was developed by UK and US government and industry in early 2025 and is currently at concept stage. We require a scoping study to provide DSIT with sufficient evidence to satisfy internal investment approvers and to shape a call for candidate organisations to bid to establish and run the platform itself. The study should broadly cover analysis and actionable recommendations on the viability, structure, and operation of a hardware security research platform. The study should evidence optimal structural, operational, and costs /financial models; identify specific services and infrastructure needed to support the platform and its target users; and assess potential risks, liabilities, and performance metrics. As the platform was originally conceived as a joint UK-US project, the study should also outline platform feasibility with both UK and US involvement, and UK-only.