October 30, 2025
Supports New York’s Leadership in Next-Generation Semiconductor Innovation, Recruiting Top Faculty, and Supporting Academic-Industry Partnerships
Nearly $4 Million Investment in the First Two Years to Expand Industry-Relevant Projects, Increase the Number of Industry-Endowed Faculty, and Provide Student Internships
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the launch of the SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute (TII), which was included in the 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda, to bolster future semiconductor research and workforce development. The new institute will support New York State’s leadership in next generation semiconductor innovation by leveraging the world-class infrastructure at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex so leading faculty researchers across SUNY’s four university centers can connect directly with experts from the industry consortia partners on site.
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, and
- establish sustainable technology offerings; like access to semiconductor wafer services that include access to unique prototyping facilities at NY Creates and opportunities for students to experiment and learn, and start-up businesses to establish proof-of-concept initiatives in microelectronics design infrastructure in NYS.
“Thanks to Governor Hochul, New York State is a national and global leader in semiconductor innovation and research,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “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. 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.”
SUNY Trustee Courtney Burke, Chair of the Research and Economic Development Committee, said, “SUNY is a catalyst for great research thanks to our world-class faculty, students, and facilities. With committed leaders like Governor Hochul and our State Legislature, SUNY is able to undertake innovative efforts to ensure that we are not only at the forefront of semiconductor research, but that we move the entire field forward by leaps and bounds. The NY Creates Albany NanoTech Complex is second to none and will continue to inspire research projects and students who want to join this growing industry.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State continues to invest in projects and programs that strengthen the state’s role in the resurgence of domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing. The new Technology Innovation Institute represents the latest step in growing this dynamic ecosystem by leveraging two of the state’s greatest assets to promote new industry growth.”
NY Creates President Dave Anderson said, “As we initiate a pathway for The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) strategic partnership, I am grateful for the Governor’s and Chancellor’s support of this effort, as we seek to strengthen academic-industry collaboration and drive innovation in semiconductor R&D and workforce development. The initiative builds on NY Creates’ partnership with SUNY, connecting world-class SUNY researchers with our global industry consortia partners. Additionally, it further opens the doors for students to gain access to the cutting-edge opportunities. We can work together to tackle industry-relevant challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and related technologies and facilitate a pipeline of skilled talent combined with research experience.”
Alex Oscilowski, President of TEL Technology Center America, said, “As an industry partner deeply committed to advancing semiconductor innovation, TEL is proud to support the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) by SUNY and NY Creates. This framework represents a necessary step forward in aligning academic excellence with industry needs to create a dynamic corridor for research, workforce development, and real-world impact. Initiatives like TII are investments in people, ideas, and the future of a resilient, high-impact industry.”
State University of New York at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, “For three decades, UAlbany students and faculty have benefited from the rich academic-industry partnerships fostered by Albany NanoTech’s uniquely collaborative environment and NY Creates’ unmatched semiconductor R&D facilities. The SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute will help extend those benefits throughout the SUNY system at a critical moment as we work collectively to ensure our teaching, research, and technology translation efforts strongly support New York’s nation-leading chips sector.”
State University of New York at Binghamton President Harvey Stenger said, “Binghamton University is excited to partner with the SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute to advance and enhance the work we are doing in semiconductors. I am proud of the groundbreaking work in this area being done by the faculty in the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. Providing opportunities for them to team up with other SUNY faculty and industry partners is essential for New York to cement its position as the global leader in semiconductor technology and for SUNY to open doors for students and graduates in this emerging field.”
State University of New York at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi said, “The University at Buffalo is proud to be part of the SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute, 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 Governor Hochul and Chancellor King for their commitment to our scholarly community, and to advancing the state’s leadership in research and technology.”
State University of New York at Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said, “This is a proud moment for Stony Brook University, and through the SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute, our top scholars and field experts, along with state leadership and industry partners, will drive research in secure, high-quality semiconductor production, ultimately revolutionizing AI, microelectronics and biotechnology. With this initiative, our students, the next generation of innovators, will gain critical experience with ever-evolving technology and be prepared to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. I am grateful for the Governor’s and Chancellor’s leadership in establishing this effort and look forward to seeing its lasting success as we forge the next wave of semiconductor innovation.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Higher Education Committee Chair, said, “I am pleased to see SUNY and NY Creates join forces to strengthen New York’s position as a national leader in semiconductor research and innovation. This new Technology Innovation Institute will give our students and faculty the tools and partnerships they need to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications. By investing in this collaboration, we are preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers and ensuring that New York remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and high-tech job creation.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Internet and Technology Committee Chair, said, “The Technology Innovation Institute is an investment in both innovation and inclusion. By connecting SUNY research with real industry opportunities, we’re making sure New Yorkers, especially our students, can help build the future of tech right here at home.”
State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, “The SUNY – NY Creates Technology Innovation Institute is a significant advancement for education and job training in New York. It directly links public universities with semiconductor industry leaders, ensuring SUNY students and faculty are at the forefront of research and equipped with the skills needed for this expanding field. I applaud Chancellor King and SUNY for their dedication to preparing New Yorkers for future jobs and enhancing our state’s technological leadership.”
State Assembly Science and Technology Committee Chair Steve Otis said, “Both SUNY and our education system have been the foundation of New York’s success in the technology economy. Companies are expanding in New York because of our educated workforce and leadership in research. SUNY’s Technology Innovation Institute will provide another vehicle to expand New York’s leadership in semiconductor innovation. Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and the Legislature have been laser-focused on growing our infrastructure for continued progress in technology. Congratulations to SUNY on this announcement.”
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.
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, which will be located at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex. Eligible students will include students in microelectronic degrees and credentials, and
- creating endowed professorships to recruit top researchers.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
Media Mentions: