INESC-ID is one of the 16 members of POEMS – the Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors, a national initiative set to position Portugal in the field of microelectronics and semiconductor innovation.

Launched under the Chips for Europe Initiative and co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and the Chips Joint Undertaking – European Union, POEMS directly responds to the priorities of Axis 1 of the National Semiconductor Strategy. The project targets two main fronts: capacity building through advanced training (Work Package 3) and technological advancement in semiconductor solutions (Work Package 4), aligning with Europe’s ambition for a more resilient and competitive tech industry.

The POEMS consortium brings together leading institutions across academia, research, and industry with expertise in chip design, advanced packaging, and emerging semiconductor technologies. Through collaborative work packages, POEMS will strengthen national infrastructure, allow access to innovation networks such as the European Network of Chips Competence Centres (ENCCC), and support the transition from R&D to market through business support and funding mechanisms. It also includes the development of a dedicated digital collaboration platform, which will house the Portuguese Semiconductor Observatory, training portals, and innovation support services.

With its unique characteristics and wide-reaching scope — from promoting STEM careers among youth to providing critical tools for companies and researchers — POEMS is more than a technological project; it’s a strategic engine for national growth in a critical and essential area.

From a total budget of nearly four million euros, INESC-ID will manage approximately 121,000 euros, under the coordination of researcher Jorge Fernandes, the institute’s Principal Investigator for POEMS.