The ASCENT+ access programme launches a new phase to become the powerhouse of researchers and innovators in nanoelectronics in Europe.

Advancing and broadening the first ASCENT programme, ASCENT+ will integrate additional key European infrastructures to address emerging research challenges in Nanoelectronics and enable a smooth consistent transition of the European industry to a new era. At present academic researchers and technologists struggle to develop industry-relevant disruptive technologies as there is limited access to state-of-the-art processing, modelling/data sets, metrology/characterisation, and devices/test structures for Nanoelectronics. Through the Single Entry Point and a userfocussed Access Interface, ASCENT+ integrates a unique research infrastructure of more than €2.5bn investment to offer these enabling capabilities to its users. ASCENT+ includes academic partners to advance the offering over the lifetime of this second Advanced Community phase, and also an extended network of over 3,700 members through partner research and industry cluster organisations. This will allow ASCENT+ to mobilise a critical mass of people, knowledge and investment to entrench an unprecedented integration within the community. This will service a much wider user base and foster innovation by linking new scientific knowledge in Nanoelectronics with challenge-driven research. European and global foresight studies have indicated that the next era is driven by the need to achieve: (i) quantum advantage using solid-state platforms; (ii) low-power, energy-efficient, high-performance computing based on disruptive devices; and (iii) increased functionality through advanced integration of a diverse range of materials and innovative technologies. ASCENT+ will enable and stimulate its user community to bridge the gap between scientific exploration and development of proof-of-concept technologies to accelerate innovation pathfinding. ASCENT+ presents a unique opportunity for Europe to regain global leadership in Nanoelelectronics at a pivotal time where traditional scaling is coming to an end.

JKU PI: Armando Rastelli

Funding agency / scheme: EU / RIA

Funding period: 01.09.2020 – 31.08.2024