The Institute for System Level Integration provides postgraduate education, professional training and research in system level integration and system-on-chip technologies. Its aim is to support the development of  electronics systems design worldwide and to encourage the exploration of new technologies through research.

The Institute is a unique academic collaborative venture of four of the UK's leading universities: Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Glasgow and Strathclyde, and with links to the University of the West of Scotland and Lancaster University who bring key skills in the use of MEMS technology.

Under the banner of the UK MNT Network, iSLI has established a publicly accessible design centre focused on silicon based MEMS technology. Partnered with Semefab's 'SemeMEMS' foundry service and using leading edge Coventorware design tools, iDesign provides the commercial sector with access to expertise and knowledge transfer for the rapid development of product prototypes. Targeted high value added development areas include advanced sensing, bio-medical, photonics, micro-fluidics, and integrated control applications