MIT Program for Health Sciences and Semiconductors Application Open

The MIT Program for Health Sciences and Semiconductors (HS+S), part of the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (MIT HEALS), invites its second round of applications for basic and applied research proposals that combine health sciences with nano- and microelectronic semiconductor technologies. Projects must demonstrate potential for clinical translation.

Key Details

The Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL), the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) are developing a new program at the intersection of health sciences and semiconductor technology, called the MIT Program for Health Sciences and Semiconductors. Initial funding comes from MIT and imec, and the program is open to PIs from all five Schools and the College.

The MIT Program for Health Sciences and Semiconductors is focused on pursuing basic and applied research in the health sciences across biological scales through the creation and implementation of minimally invasive sensors and actuators that leverage nano- and micro-technologies enabled through advances in semiconductors. Coupled with advanced computational methods, these novel sensing and modulation approaches will pave the way toward data-driven prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions. Through advances in front-end interfaces (e.g., new analytical probes, polymers) and low-power back-end detection and actuation (e.g., optical, electromagnetic, electrochemical, and acoustic elements), this program aims to foster a world-leading collaborative of semiconductor engineering, biomedical engineering, health science, clinical, and computational professionals from academia and industry to realize unique and broadly applicable technologies.

Photonic integrated circuits for biosensing applications; FTIR microscopy; photoacoustic integrated devices for disease diagnosis or biomarker discovery (signal processing, microphone, light source development); single-molecular sensing (e.g. nanopores, biochemistry), fingerprinting and sequencing using optical detection; speckle-based imaging; hyperspectral and multispectral NIR.

Functionalized integrated circuits, such as BioFETs, graphene & 2D materials, integration with ML and edge AI; electrochemical sensors; MEMS-based microfluidic systems for biochemical assays, pathogen detection or DNA sequencing; micro-physiological systems (cell biology).

Various magnetic sensing technologies (could include magnetoresistive, superconducting, NV center, etc.) for real-time bio-magnetic field detection; magnetoencephalography (MEG) for non-invasive brain activity monitoring; targeted drug delivery; molecular diagnostics.

Continuous cardiovascular/cerebrovascular monitoring; systemically delivered, ultrasound-compatible theragnostic agents; example application domains: transcranial ultrasound for stroke, traumatic brain injury and autoregulation assessment; transcranial focused ultrasound to modulate brain activity.

imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. imec unites industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, pharma, medical and information and communications technology companies, start-ups, academia, and knowledge centers. Leveraging its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of top researchers, imec brings innovation to the health area and beyond.

It is expected that projects proposed have a collaborator from imec involved in the project. imec has a variety of expertise and facilities applicable to the suggested topical areas. At the recently held Health Sciences and Semiconductors workshop, Imec presented their world class expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. It is suggested that proposers view the recording of this workshop to learn more about imec’s capabilities and priorities.

Oct 17, 2025

Applications open

Dec 5, 2025

Application Deadline

Late Dec, 2025

Award Notification

Jan, 2026

Project Start Date

Visit the InfoReady site for full application details, submission information, and templates.

Please direct questions to:
HS+S Program – hss@mit.edu
Veerle Reumers (imec) – Veerle.Reumers@imec-int.com
Tomas Palacios – tomasp@mit.edu
Ahmad Bahai – abahai@mit.edu
Alex Shalek – shalek@mit.edu