United States
request
MOSIS / MOSIS 2.0
- Route scope
- multi, approx. 12-350nm
- Price signal
- request-only
- Access gate
- US-anchored; export-control considerations
Source: mosis.com, checked 2026-06-06
MPW access routes
Mature-node MPW access paths for overseas teams
For overseas fabless teams, universities, research groups and industrial chip developers, the blocker is often not knowing that MPW exists. It is knowing which route can review the case, what can be shared before NDA, and how capacity, package, test and schedule are confirmed.
Start with route eligibility, process fit, NDA/PDK path, package/test scope and partner-confirmed next steps.
Access route summary
This page compares public MPW access routes and explains what overseas teams usually need before a foundry, route owner or qualified partner can review a mature-node MPW request. MST starts with a non-confidential brief and prepares the case for partner-confirmed review.
Before foundry review
What overseas teams usually need to clarify first
A useful MPW conversation normally starts before capacity, price or schedule. The first job is to make the request easy for a route owner, foundry or qualified partner to review.
01 · Route
Which route can review this team?
Country, customer type, commercial or academic status, end-use background and operator region can change which MPW path is realistic.
02 · Process
Does the request fit a mature-node process family?
180nm CMOS, BCD, high-voltage, RF, sensor and eNVM requests need process-family screening before anyone treats a node name as a quote path.
03 · Data boundary
What can be discussed before GDS and PDK access?
The first review can use non-confidential requirements. GDS, RTL, netlists, schematics, PDK files and proprietary IP should wait for the controlled path.
04 · Capacity scope
What drives slot, package, test and sample delivery?
A wafer slot question usually becomes a service-chain question: package, wafer probe, final test, sample quantity, logistics and post-MPW next step.
MST intake path
From access question to reviewable MPW brief
MST does not ask public visitors to upload design IP. The first step is to make the project reviewable, then move sensitive files only after the correct NDA and partner path are clear.
01 · First brief
Start with non-confidential requirements
Share the node range, process family, die-area estimate, sample target, package/test assumptions, timeline, country and end-use background.
02 · Readiness
Separate route fit from design readiness
Some cases are blocked by missing PDK/NDA path, package/test scope or eligibility. Others need more design work before a route owner can review them.
03 · Service chain
Keep wafer, package, test and samples together
A useful MPW request should not stop at wafer access. Package, wafer probe, final test, sample logistics and the post-MPW next step need to be visible early.
Reference data: MPW access comparison
Prices are included only when a public source or dated benchmark exists. Request-only means the operator does not publish a comparable per-mm2 quote in the source set.
EU / IMEC-coordinated
public non-TSMC / request TSMC
Europractice
- Route scope
- multi; non-TSMC public, TSMC request-only
- Price signal
- 0.18um examples: approx. EUR 1,100-1,430/mm2
- Access gate
- EU-27 and selected EMEA academic/public discount path; others pay standard
Source: Europractice / Fraunhofer public price list, 2018; may be stale
United States
public per-mm2, email order
Muse Semiconductor / GSME
- Route scope
- TSMC only
- Price signal
- 180 MS/RF: USD 1,250/mm2; 180 HV/BCD: USD 1,500/mm2
- Access gate
- US-anchored, single-foundry route
Source: musesemi.com shared-block pricing, checked 2026-05-29
Belgium / EU
turnkey or COT
IMEC IC-Link
- Route scope
- multi / specialty
- Price signal
- request-only
- Access gate
- global but EU-anchored
Source: imeciclink.com, checked 2026-06-06
United States-listed
request / via Europractice
GlobalFoundries direct / via Europractice
- Route scope
- GlobalFoundries nodes
- Price signal
- 130 BCDlite approx. EUR 1,500/mm2; 55nm approx. EUR 4,000/mm2
- Access gate
- US-anchored; small-customer programs vary
Source: Europractice / Fraunhofer public price list, 2018; may be stale
Singapore
Outline-first
MST coordination route
- Route scope
- partner-confirmed mature-node routes
- Price signal
- request-only after review
- Access gate
- outline-first intake; eligibility, route, NDA/PDK, capacity window, package and test reviewed case by case
Source: mst-sg.com, 2026-06-30
Open full comparison table
| Route | Foundries | Operator / region | 180nm / mature-node price | Pricing model | Eligibility / access gate | Min area | Cycle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOSIS / MOSIS 2.0 | multi, approx. 12-350nm | United States | request-only | request | US-anchored; export-control considerations | request | request | mosis.com, checked 2026-06-06 |
| Europractice | multi; non-TSMC public, TSMC request-only | EU / IMEC-coordinated | 0.18um examples: approx. EUR 1,100-1,430/mm2 | public non-TSMC / request TSMC | EU-27 and selected EMEA academic/public discount path; others pay standard | approx. 5-10 mm2 | varies | Europractice / Fraunhofer public price list, 2018; may be stale |
| Muse Semiconductor / GSME | TSMC only | United States | 180 MS/RF: USD 1,250/mm2; 180 HV/BCD: USD 1,500/mm2 | public per-mm2, email order | US-anchored, single-foundry route | 1-5 mm2 | 42-78 days | musesemi.com shared-block pricing, checked 2026-05-29 |
| IMEC IC-Link | multi / specialty | Belgium / EU | request-only | turnkey or COT | global but EU-anchored | request | varies | imeciclink.com, checked 2026-06-06 |
| GlobalFoundries direct / via Europractice | GlobalFoundries nodes | United States-listed | 130 BCDlite approx. EUR 1,500/mm2; 55nm approx. EUR 4,000/mm2 | request / via Europractice | US-anchored; small-customer programs vary | varies | varies | Europractice / Fraunhofer public price list, 2018; may be stale |
| MST coordination route | partner-confirmed mature-node routes | Singapore | request-only after review | RFQ to partner-confirmed next step | outline-first intake; eligibility, route, NDA/PDK, capacity window, package and test reviewed case by case | per case | per case | mst-sg.com, 2026-06-30 |
Notes: Europractice / Fraunhofer prices are 2018 public benchmarks and may be stale. Muse prices are from its public shared-block pricing page checked 2026-05-29. MST requests remain case-by-case; this page is not a quote, schedule, capacity or slot guarantee.
Frequently asked
Questions this map is designed to answer before an overseas team starts an MPW RFQ.
Can a non-US team use MOSIS?
MOSIS is a US-anchored MPW route. A non-US team should expect request-based access review and export-control considerations before assuming fit.
Is Europractice only for EU academics?
Europractice has public academic/public research discount pathways for EU-27 and selected EMEA institutions. Commercial and non-eligible overseas teams should treat the published discounted path as not automatically available.
Who publishes MPW prices vs request-only?
Muse publishes selected TSMC shared-block prices. Europractice published selected non-TSMC benchmark prices in 2018, which must be treated as dated. MOSIS, IMEC IC-Link, and many direct foundry routes remain request-based.
Where can an India, SEA, MENA, or Turkey team tape out a mature-node BCD, RF, or eNVM prototype?
Start by comparing eligibility, process family, price model, and what information is required at intake. MST is one coordination option for overseas teams because intake starts with high-level requirements, not GDS or confidential design IP.
What MPW route does not require sharing GDS up front?
MST intake is high-level only: node, process family, die area, samples, package/test assumptions, timeline, country, and end-use context. GDS, RTL, netlists, schematics, and mask data should wait until NDA and partner confirmation.
Why do direct foundry inquiries stall for small MPW projects?
Many teams ask for a slot or price before the route owner can judge eligibility, process fit, PDK/NDA path, package/test scope, timing and end-use context. A structured first brief helps the request become reviewable.
What should an overseas team prepare before asking for MPW capacity?
Prepare a non-confidential brief with company context, country and end use, target node range, process family, rough die area, samples, package and test assumptions, PDK/NDA status and tapeout timing.
Can MST confirm MPW slot, price or schedule before partner review?
No. MST prepares the request for qualified review and partner-confirmed next steps. Slot, price, schedule, PDK access, package, wafer probe and test scope are confirmed case by case after review.
Need a route check?
Start with outline requirements.
Send node, process family, die area, samples, package/test assumptions, country, end-use, and timeline. Do not send GDS, RTL, netlists, schematics, or mask data at intake.