The partnership between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Arizona State University began taking formal shape in 2023, with an agreement focused on expanding their collaborative capacity. This association aims to offer specialized classes, fellowships, and research opportunities; strengthen the talent pipeline from ASU to TSMC's Arizona facilities; create more courses for industry professionals; and support faculty and student research projects in ways that benefit both organizations and the greater Phoenix area.

"We have been working closely for a couple of years to carefully define what TSMC needs from ASU and how we can deliver on that for the company and for the greater Phoenix community," said Grace O'Sullivan, vice president of corporate engagement and strategic partnerships for ASU. "There is a lot more work to do, but we are learning how best to collaborate and we have built a foundation for long-term success.”

For TSMC Arizona, the decision to join forces with ASU was straightforward. Brian Harrison, former president of TSMC Arizona, noted: "When making the decision to expand in the U.S., one of the considerations was access to world-class engineering talent to help us operate the most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing technology in the world. There's no doubt that the presence of Arizona State University, equally committed to a culture of innovation, was one of many reasons we chose Phoenix for our U.S. operation."

A Talent Pipeline

ASU has become a critical resource for TSMC's growing Arizona operations. This educational pipeline has proven invaluable as TSMC builds its workforce in Phoenix, where the company will create an estimated thousands of direct jobs once all six of its planned chip wafer fabrication facilities are operational.

A major development came in January 2025, when the Arizona Commerce Authority announcedthat the U.S. Commerce Department and Natcast, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center, had selected Arizona as the site for the co-located NSTC Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility.

This facility, which will be located at the Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe, stands to significantly advance the region's already fast-improving semiconductor capabilities. The facility will meet a need for advanced packaging in the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem by combining 300-milimeter research and prototyping for front-end manufacturing and packaging capabilities.

“This is the largest of three R&D flagship facilities being launched that together represent the greatest national laboratory investments since those that came out of the Manhattan Project,” said ASU President Dr. Michael Crow in a statement. “The R&D project will create a national lab that will be the final piece in a semiconductor ecosystem that serves the nation with research and development, manufacturing, and workforce development, all right here in Arizona. You'll have all three things together in the same place to help the nation; Arizona will be the hub nationally — and ASU is at the center of the hub.”

Multilayered Collaboration

The synergy between TSMC Arizona and ASU encompasses several key areas of collaboration. On the education front, TSMC supports master's fellowships and scholarshipsfor thesis-track students aligned with semiconductor research. The company also provides support for laboratory courses in ASU's School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, doubling the number of students able to participate in hands-on learning opportunities related to semiconductor manufacturing.

Faculty engagement is another crucial component. TSMC supports ASU faculty research through research and mentorship programs for master's fellowship students and ASU's Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative program. TSMC-supported FURI students receive a $2,600 stipend and $400 for materials to conduct research aligned with the semiconductor manufacturing research theme. TSMC and ASU faculty also engage in joint research workshops to advance semiconductor technology.

Beyond research and education, the partnership focuseson expanding the talent pipeline through ASU's career centers. The Corporate Affiliate Program provides a structured pathway for ASU students to enter TSMC's Arizona operations. The program initially targets juniors, seniors, and graduate students for engineering, manufacturing, business, and infrastructure internships. TSMC also connects with ASU's Access ASU program, which introduces semiconductor career paths to high school and transfer students.

For working professionals, TSMC collaborates with ASU's CareerCatalyst team to develop skills-based education solutions designed to enhance the capabilities of TSMC's existing workforce. This non-degree professional education helps bridge skills gaps and prepare employees for advancement within the semiconductor industry.

Broader Economic Impacts

The affiliation arrives at a critical time for the semiconductor industry's workforce development needs. According to projections by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oxford Economics, the semiconductor workforce is expected to grow by 33% by 2030, adding approximately 460,000 jobs by the end of the decade. This growth creates urgent demand for skilled workers at all levels, from technicians to engineers and researchers.

And the economic impact of the ASU-TSMC alliance extends far beyond the university and company. According to projections, TSMC Arizona's investment will generate an estimated $1.2 billion in direct tax revenues plus $195 million in indirect tax revenues — a total of $1.4 billion over a 13-year period. It will create $4.6 billion of personal income, plus an additional $4.8 billion in indirect personal income for a total of $9.3 billion, while generating $32.9 billion in economic output.

"As we continue to grow our semiconductor industry in Phoenix and the region, this new partnership between ASU and TSMC will create a strong talent pipeline for years to come, filling new, good-paying jobs and ultimately boosting our local economy,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told Semiconductor Digest.

Similarly, Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, emphasized the regional significance of the partnership.

"This partnership between TSMC and ASU reflects the region's dedication to fulfilling the workforce needs of the entire semiconductor ecosystem as we become an international center for the industry,” he said in a recent statement.

Multinational tech company Intel and TSMC together have invested a combined $108 billion in new advanced manufacturing facilities in Arizona, and TSMC recently announced plans to invest another $100 billion, creating what many are calling a semiconductor hub or "Silicon Desert.” This concentration of industry leaders has sparked a wave of additional investments from suppliers and supporting businesses, further enhancing the region's competitive advantage.

The state government has also played a key role in fostering the semiconductor ecosystem. In January 2024, officials announced a $5 million commitment from TSMC to establish a semiconductor technician Registered Apprenticeship program. This announcement was accompanied by an additional $5 million commitment from philanthropic organizations to provide 1,500 Arizonans with supportive services to enter these in-demand jobs.

For TSMC Arizona, these joint ventures represent more than just access to talent. They're about creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem in Arizona similar to what the company has established in Taiwan. With its investment in Arizona now totalling $165 billion across six planned fabrication facilities, TSMC is committed to long-term success in the region.

And the collaboration with ASU helps ensure that innovations driving semiconductor advancement are taking root in the United States. The TSMC-ASU partnership appears positioned to become a model for university-industry collaboration in high-tech manufacturing. As semiconductor technology continues to advance toward more complex designs and manufacturing processes, such collaborations will be essential for maintaining innovation momentum and addressing the increasingly specialized workforce requirements of the industry.