A new European consortium has launched ICOS² (International Cooperation on Semiconductor Innovation and Supply Resilience), a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action tasked with bolstering Europe’s semiconductor resilience and global partnerships. Coordinated by Ireland’s Tyndall National Institute, the project unites 21 organisations from industry, research, and policy, including ASML, Bosch, Infineon, NXP, and STMicroelectronics.

ICOS² addresses Europe’s structural semiconductor weaknesses—limited manufacturing capacity and dependence on external suppliers—by delivering data-driven intelligence and actionable recommendations to policymakers and industry leaders. The initiative aligns directly with the EU’s Chips Act and will provide concrete input for the design of the forthcoming Chips Act 2.0, aiming to strengthen technological autonomy, reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities, and shape future investment decisions.

The project builds on its predecessor, ICOS, shifting from analysis to implementation. Its framework rests on three pillars: economic intelligence to map global supply chains and dependencies; technology intelligence to assess emerging technologies and Europe’s positioning; and cooperation intelligence to evaluate partnership risks and opportunities. These feed into joint research initiatives and mobility programmes with key semiconductor ecosystems in Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US.

Professor Giorgos Fagas, Director of Strategic Development at Tyndall and ICOS² coordinator, emphasised that the project “represents a critical step in moving from analysis to action,” combining deep intelligence with targeted international cooperation to strengthen Europe’s industrial base and global competitiveness.

A leading European consortium has officially launched ICOS² – International Cooperation on Semiconductor Innovation and Supply Resilience, a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action aimed at reinforcing Europe’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem through the promotion of international partnerships.

Coordinated by Tyndall National Institute, Ireland, ICOS² brings together 21 leading organisations spanning industry, research, and policy across Europe – including major technology leaders such as ASML, Bosch, Infineon, NXP, STMicroelectronics, alongside Europe’s foremost research and innovation actors.

Semiconductors are foundational to Europe’s economic security, enabling critical sectors such as automotive, healthcare, energy, and telecommunications. However, Europe currently faces structural challenges, including limited manufacturing capacity and dependency on external partners across the value chain. ICOS² is designed to address these challenges by providing rigorous, evidence-based intelligence and actionable recommendations to support European policymakers and industry leaders in shaping future semiconductor strategy.

The project is closely aligned with the European Union’s semiconductor agenda, including the European Chips Act and its anticipated evolution toward Chips Act 2.0.

By delivering data-driven insights, risk analyses, and cooperation frameworks, ICOS² will help:

Strengthen Europe’s technological autonomy and industrial competitiveness

Reduce vulnerabilities in global semiconductor supply chains

Enable targeted international cooperation with key global partners

Inform future policy and investment decisions at EU and Member State level

In particular, ICOS² will provide direct input to the implementation design of Chips Act 2.0, supporting a more coordinated and strategic European approach to global semiconductor engagement.

Recognising that semiconductor innovation is global by nature, ICOS² will establish a structured approach to international collaboration based on:

– Economic intelligence – mapping global supply chains and dependencies

– Technology intelligence – analysing emerging technologies and EU positioning

– Cooperation intelligence – assessing partnership opportunities and risks

– Actionable recommendations – enabling joint research initiatives and mobility programmes

The project will engage with leading semiconductor ecosystems worldwide – including Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA – to identify mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen European resilience while safeguarding strategic interests.

Professor Giorgos Fagas, Director of Strategic Development at Tyndall and coordinator of the ICOS² project said “Building upon the strong foundations laid down by the preceding very successful ICOS project, ICOS² represents a critical step in moving from analysis to action in Europe’s semiconductor strategy. By combining deep intelligence with targeted international cooperation, we are creating the conditions for Europe to strengthen its industrial base and global competitiveness.”

AENEAS is proud to be a part of the ICOS² project consortium. Discover more about the project partners in the official press release.

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