Abstract
The Focus Center Research Program (FCRP) initiative was launched in 1998 in the United States of America. FCRPs, which are programs for the semiconductor field, are based on inter-university collaboration and funded by both the industry and the government. From the industry, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and related companies such as equipment manufacturers have taken part in the funding of FCRPs. The Microelectronics Advanced Research Corporation (MARCO) was established in 1997 to manage FCRPs from the industry side. From the government, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Department of Defense, and two related organizations have participated. Five FCRPs are currently being executed by the respective virtual research bodies, each of which is composed of a core university and eight to fifteen other universities. It should be noted that the industry, universities and the government share the common policy to realize the best combination of universities for the highest research productivity.
