Open Call for Design Platform

Deadline: 10-Oct-2024

The European Commission (EC) is inviting applications to build a strong chip-design ecosystem in Europe and to provide start-ups and SMEs with access to high-quality tools and support services similar to those readily available to larger enterprises.

This platform, as a unified European infrastructure combined with comprehensive user support services, aims to democratise chip design in Europe by facilitating access, for all eligible users, to advanced tools and resources, irrespective of their size.

The main target users of the Design Platform shall be commercial entities, particularly startups and SMEs, for the purpose of pre-competitive activities such as research, development and innovation up to experimentation and tape-out. Such entities are then expected to engage in regular commercial contractual agreement with Electronic Design and Automation tool vendors outside of the Design Platform upon maturity. Complementary support to that already provided by EUROPRACTICE for academia and research institutes can be considered.

This call concerns the selection of the consortium in charge of the overall coordination of the Design Platform, referred to as the Platform Coordination Team (PCT), which shall serve as the hosting entity for the Design Platform’s virtual infrastructure and central services, coordinating access to a wide range of tools, assets and services.

The chosen implementation model foresees a central consortium, referred to as the Platform Coordination Team (PCT) that operates the overall Design Platform initiative, serves as the hosting entity of the central cloud infrastructure and manages the development of its users. The PCT shall assist the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) in defining the technical specifications of the cloud service for the platform to be procured by the Chips JU through a dedicated Call for Tenders. Following the procurement procedure, the PCT shall manage on behalf of the Chips JU the formal test, validation and delivery of the cloud-enabled platform and its integration in the broader Design Platform initiative. This shall be done in close cooperation with a selected service provider following the Call for Tenders for the procurement of the cloud service mentioned above. The PCT shall also be responsible for the further development and operationalisation of the Design Platform, in close cooperation with the selected service provider. It shall also be responsible for coordinating training, EDA tool and IP licensing support and the coordination of decentralised teams referred to as Design Enablement Teams (DETs). The selection of a consortium operating as the PCT is the purpose of this call.

Scope 

• The purpose of this call is to select a consortium that will be responsible for implementing, hosting and running the Design Platform and coordinating its development, operation, and maintenance as well as related user support activities, in close collaboration with the Chips Joint Undertaking.
• To achieve those goals, proposals should address all of the following activities:
  • Comprehensive Planning and Development 
    • Provide a comprehensive plan for the development and operation of the Design Platform, including clearly defined development and implementation targets, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the platform’s development and service delivery.
    • The PCT shall seek to establish advisory groups comprising end-user companies, potential Design Enablement Teams, and other relevant stakeholders to provide critical insights and guidance throughout the development and operationalisation of the Design Platform. These advisory groups shall be particularly pertinent prior to the potential launch of future calls concerning Design Enablement Teams and eventually, user support.
  • Cloud service management
    • Develop and provide detailed and comprehensive technical specifications for the procurement of the cloud services that will support the implementation of the envisaged Design Platform. The specifications must fulfil all the key functional requirements and objectives as herein outlined in Annex B, including the development and operational maintenance of the required infrastructure and services. These specifications shall serve as the basis for an eventual Call for Tenders by the Chips Joint undertaking.
    • In close coordination with the selected tenderer, validate, test, manage and maintain the cloud service targeted towards the European chip design community, to be gradually populated with a portfolio of open-source and proprietary ‘design assets’ to facilitate and enhance the design process for users, such as intellectual property (IP) blocks, design templates, fast design adoption kits, process design kits (PDKs) from pilot lines and open foundries, open-source design tools, as well as reusable openaccess design elements from previous EU-funded projects.
  • Complementarity to other objectives of the Chips for Europe Initiative 
    • Integrate PDKs/ADKs and services stemming from the pilot lines of the Chips for Europe Initiative into the Design Platform, in close cooperation with the pilot lines’ hosting entities. This shall allow an easier and faster prototyping of designs developed using the European Design Platform on the pilot lines.
    • Work closely with Competence Centres to support their users through the resources and services of the Design Platform.
    • Support the design development of quantum chips, taking into consideration actions under the Chips Joint Undertaking in this area.
  • Technical Requirements and Standards 
    • Outline and provide the technical requirements, specifications, and service quality standards necessary for the selection and integration of suitable Design Enablement Teams, to ensure that the Design Platform can address the needs of its users across their chip development process, including support for prototyping and fabrication of ICs and fully packaged systems.
    • Implement monitoring procedures to ensure that the central platform and the Design Enablement Teams meet the established technical standards and performance metrics. This includes regular audits and updates to the technical specifications as needed.
    • Undertake continuous monitoring of the Design Platform’s operations and the quality of services provided to its users. This process should include the systematic collection and analysis of user feedback to identify areas for improvement. Furthermore, appropriate corrective measures should be promptly implemented to address any identified issues, ensuring the platform maintains high standards of service and user satisfaction.
  • Supplier Negotiations and Management 
    • Under the direction and mandate of the Chips JU, conduct negotiations with key suppliers of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and intellectual property blocks. The objective is to establish suitable master framework agreements between the Chips JU and each vendor, ensuring cost-effectiveness and securing the most favourable conditions for users of the Design Platform at various development stages.
    • Manage on behalf of and under the direction of the Chips Joint Undertaking the aforementioned master framework agreements with the various vendors of EDA tools, IP libraries, and other relevant suppliers.
  • Start-up and SME support
    • Provide technical and operational support to the Chips JU in the execution of calls for proposals for the selection of projects from fabless companies eligible for financial support from the Union and Participating States, which will help cover part of the costs of licensing and other operational expenses incurred during chip development.
    • Ensure the provision of a dedicated 24/7 user help desk support to assist with any queries or issues related to the operation of the Design Platform.
  • Dissemination and User Engagement 
    • Effectively disseminate to potential users, start-ups and SMEs, the services offered via the Design Platform. Dissemination should also be carried out through the Network of Competence Centres of the Chips for Europe Initiative.

Funding Information

• Max. EURO 25 million.

Expected Outcomes 

• The main expected outcome of this initiative is the development of a robust chip design ecosystem in Europe. Furthermore, the consortium acting in the role of the PCT is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
  • Easy cloud-enabled access to electronic design tools (including proprietary and opensource tools), libraries of design templates, as well as training and support services, available through an inclusive design platform, accelerating chip design and reducing time-to-market for users.
  • The cloud services, procured by the Chips JU, may be developed and maintained by third parties, however the PCT, in line with a Hosting Agreement, shall assume responsibility for the coordination and execution of the various related activities and services described below.
  • The PCT shall oversee that the cloud service procured by the Chips JU is secure, scalable, and accessible 24/7. The service shall include the provision of a user help desk support, robust security measures, data backup and recovery, and regular maintenance and updates.
  • The PCT shall continuously monitor the operation of the Design Platform and the quality of services provided to users. This includes incorporating user feedback loops and adopting corrective measures as necessary.
  • The management and maintenance of a cloud-based repository for the European chip design community, populated with an extensive portfolio of open-source and proprietary ‘design assets’ to facilitate and enhance the design process for users, such as intellectual property (IP) blocks, design templates, fast adoption kits, process design kits (PDKs) from pilot lines and open foundries, open-source design tools, as well as reusable open-access design elements from previous EU-funded projects.
  • A quicker and more efficient licensing process for commercial EDA tools and IP libraries, reducing burden and barriers for companies engaging in chip design, coupled with a startup support programme, that includes financing of licensing costs.
  • Integration in the Design Platform of the design support services provided by specialised design service providers, known as Design Enablement Teams, that will be designated following a subsequent linked call.
  • Advanced training and support services available to a wide range of users via the Design Platform complementing the work of the network of Competence Centres and/or potential future dedicated actions on design skills to support the development of design skills across the Union.
• The Design Platform is expected to support the design of a wide variety of technologies, specifically but not limited to digital circuits at multiple process nodes (up to leading edge nodes); analogue; mixed-signal; power; photonics and quantum. The Design Platform shall also support back-end of line (BEOL) design and manufacturing through advanced heterogeneous systems integration and advanced packaging techniques.

Eligibility Criteria 

• In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non- EU countries:
      • EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
      • countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme Specific Objective 6 or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature.

For more information, visit EC.