The CHIPS Act sparked momentum, but the real game now is in scaling U.S. dominance. DoD and federal agencies are funding next-gen capabilities where semiconductors are central. Appropriations is the annual budgeting process for allocating money into each of the departments to keep the government running. The DoD has invested approximately $10 billion over the last 5 years in semiconductors (completely unrelated to CHIPS Act funding). Such spending is likely to increase under the Trump Administration.
But tapping into federal funding isn’t easy. It takes strategy, speed, and savvy engagement for semiconductor companies.
The Playbook 1 Be First – Early movers set the narrative. Get in before the comparisons begin. Trump wants to make deals—fast. 2 Connect Your Tech to National Power – Frame your pitch around U.S. strategic needs. Don’t just sell specs—sell relevance to America’s future. 3 Campaign, Don’t Just Lobby – One high-level meeting won’t cut it. Success requires coordinated outreach across agencies, political offices, and the White House. 4 Rebrand the Credit – Trump wants to own the win. Position any prior funding as part of his success story. 5 Chase Appropriations, Not Bureaucracy – Annual appropriations beat CHIPS funding: they’re faster, recurring, and don’t require matching dollars. 6 Secure State Support – Local incentives matter. They show momentum and political cover for federal investment. 7 Bring in the Right Team – You need seasoned experts with D.C. reach and a track record of delivering major wins.
