Despite efforts to change it, the high-tech industry, and particularly the semiconductor industry continues to experience a lack of diversity in its workforce. Semiconductor engineer-specific statistics from Zippia are shown below. Additionally, the semiconductor engineer gender gap is still wide (Figure 1), with 89.3% men and 10.7% women (Figure 1).
- Race/Ethnicity
- White – 66.4%
- Asian – 14%
- Hispanic or Latinx – 11%
- Black or African American – 4.5%
- Unknown – 3.9%
- Native American/Alaskan – 0.2%
It’s become more important than ever for organizations to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) challenges and initiatives in the workplace.
That’s why in 2021, we established the 3D InCites DEI Fund, initially intended to support technology start-ups owned by women and/or underrepresented minorities (URMs).
In 2023 to help address the semiconductor and microelectronics workforce shortage, we pivoted to create the 3D InCites DEI Scholarship, in partnership with SEMI Foundation and IMAPS Foundation. The goal is to give young women and under-represented minorities access to STEM education programs at the technical school, community college, and university levels.
The fund was seeded by proceeds from the annual 3D InCites Awards, as well as fund-raising activities such as an annual mural project and a Hike for DEI, held during the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society’s International Device Packaging Conference. It is administered through the Impress Foundation, a 501-C3 established by Martijn Pierik, exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. Impress Foundation organizes events as a means of raising funds for a variety of charitable organizations. In addition to the 3D InCites Scholarships, the Foundation has held the TechMinds Charity Golf Classic to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Give-A-Buck, established to fund childhood cancer research.
Now totaling more than $63,000, we are ready to start awarding scholarships in 2024. Two scholarships of up to $10K over four years will be awarded to high school graduates embarking on STEM education at technical school, community college, and university levels to cover tuition, supplies, and fees.
We have raised enough to fund two scholarships over the next four years. We will continue fundraising efforts this year through the Hike for DEI fund for 2024.
Thank You to our Donors!
