On May 7, Governor Greg Abbott announced a $13 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to Texas A&M University.
According to the Governor’s office, the grant will fund the expansion of the Cyclotron Institute’s Radiation Effects Facility, specifically focusing on “radiation hardness testing” required for electronics used in extreme environments.
“Through this TSIF grant, Texas A&M University will speed the development of innovative technologies… while we secure our nation’s future,” Governor Abbott said.
The investment is part of a broader state strategy under the 2023 Texas CHIPS Act to solidify the state’s leadership in microchip research, design, and manufacturing.
The expansion will include the installation of new beam lines and a state-of-the-art spectrometer, allowing for more precise testing of microelectronics and materials, according to the Governor’s office.
Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar said that the grant strengthens a resource essential for validating the electronics used in satellites, spacecraft, and missile defense systems. State Senator Charles Schwertner added that the investment ensures Texas remains at the forefront of the “next frontier of space exploration”.
The $13 million grant follows a period of investment in the Brazos Valley’s high-tech infrastructure. In April 2026, state officials broke ground on a separate $226 million semiconductor research and development facility at Texas A&M’s RELLIS campus, which is intended to serve as a hub for workforce training and industry collaboration. Representative Paul Dyson said that the partnership between the state and local governments in the Brazos Valley is intended to create high-tech jobs and drive “sustained economic vitality” across the region.
The funding is the latest in a series of strategic TSIF awards aimed at building a robust semiconductor ecosystem across Texas. The Texas Dispatch previously reported on May 4 that Texas secured the Prosperity Cup for top business investment, supported by similar grants to private manufacturers like Avant Technology in Pharr and Coherent in Sherman.
The A&M System has received other targeted TSIF funds, including a $1.98 million grant awarded to Prairie View A&M University in late 2025 for specialized training in microelectronics assembly.