The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has announced an investment of NT$1.4 billion (US$47.4 million) to advance semiconductor research in Taiwan’s medicine and agriculture sectors.

Part of a five-year plan, the initiative aims to link chipmaking with industrial innovation through academia-industry collaboration, especially in chip design.

An additional NT$100 million (US$3.4 million) will be allocated next year, and current projects have already delivered NT$100 million (US$3.4 million) in value to target sectors.

Research funded by the NSTC includes medical implants for Parkinson’s treatment, cancer gene tests, early detection of atrial fibrillation, plant disease diagnostics, and autonomous agricultural robots for greenhouses and poultry farms.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is developing related platforms, while the Ministries of Agriculture and Health and Welfare are facilitating technology adoption and certifications.

Over 30 corporate and 20 academic partners are collaborating on this program, and the next phase will focus on tech certification and AI integration into Taiwan’s economy.