Previous Funding Opportunities

Fiscal Year 2022 University Center Economic Development Program (UC) Competition

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has published the FY 2022 University Center Economic Development Program Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF), making $8.4 million in federal funds available to accredited institutions of higher education or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher education in EDA’s Atlanta and Seattle regions. A combined total of $2.4 million is available for the first year of awards under this competition.

The purpose of EDA’s University Center program is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers (UCs) specifically focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency and inclusiveness. By responding to the economic development needs of their regions, University Center programs are demand-driven by nature. University Centers collaborate with other EDA partners, such as Economic Development Districts (EDDs), by providing expertise, applied research, and technical assistance to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that result in job creation, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region’s innovation clusters.

EDA University Centers provide technical assistance to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness. EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skill development, workforce training opportunities, applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship and improve regional economic development.

Regional Office	States Served	NOFO Number
Atlanta Regional Office:	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee	EDA-ATL-TA-ATRO-2022-2007229
Seattle Regional Office:	Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Rep. of Marshall Islands, Rep. of Palau	EDA-SEA-TA-SRO-2022-2007230

For full program details, please visit www.eda.gov/programs/university-centers/. You can also find applicant resources on EDA's University Centers website.

Closing Date for Applications: Applications are due April 29, 2022 11:59pm ET.

Fiscal Year 2021 American Rescue Plan Act

Under the American Rescue Plan, EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks.

American Rescue Plan funding enables EDA to provide larger, more transformational investments across the nation while utilizing its greatest strengths, including flexible funding to support community-led economic development.

With an emphasis on equity, EDA investments made under the American Rescue Plan will directly benefit previously underserved communities impacted by COVID-19.

EDA is making a Coal Communities Commitment, allocating $300 million of its $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to ensure support for these communities as they recover from the pandemic and create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. This commitment will be fulfilled through $100 million in Build Back Better Regional Challenge grants and $200 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants.

EDA has published the following funding opportunities:

Deadlines: Varies based on program.

Economic Adjustment Assistance: Rolling. EDA strongly encourages all applicants to start early and contact their EDA representative for assistance.

While EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible, EDA strongly advises eligible applicants to submit complete applications no later than March 31, 2022 so that EDA can review and process the application in time to get a potential award in place prior to deadlines imposed by Congress. Submission by March 31, 2022 is not a guarantee of funding. Any award is subject to the availability of funds. See Section E of this ARPA EAA NOFO regarding EDA’s review process.

Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation: Rolling (Competitive Tourism Grants). EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

For EDA Competitive Tourism Grants, there are no application submission deadlines. While EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible, EDA strongly advises eligible applicants to submit complete applications no later than January 31, 2022 so that EDA can review and process the application in time to get a potential award in place prior to deadlines imposed by Congress. Submission by January 31, 2022 is not a guarantee of funding. Any award is subject to the availability of funds. See Section E of this ARPA Tourism NOFO regarding EDA’s review process.

Indigenous Communities: Rolling. EDA strongly encourages all applicants to start early and contact their EDA representative for assistance.

While EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible, EDA strongly advises eligible applicants to submit complete applications at least by March 31, 2022 so that EDA can review and process the application in time to get a potential award in place prior to deadlines imposed by Congress. Submission by March 31, 2022 is not a guarantee of funding. Any award is subject to the availability of funds. EDA strongly encourages all applicants to start early and contact their EDA representative for assistance. See section E of this Indigenous Communities NOFO regarding EDA’s review process and section G of the NOFO for EDA Regional Office Point of Contact (POC) information.

Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Phase 1): October 19, 2021 (Closed)

Statewide Planning, Research and Networks: Rolling (Research and Network Grants). EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Good Jobs Challenge: February 10, 2022 (Closed)

Fiscal Year 2021 STEM Talent Challenge

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity making $2 million available to eligible entities to create and implement STEM talent development strategies that complement their region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge provides funding for work-and-learn programs to increase America’s STEM-capable workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as space commerce, aeronautics, digital manufacturing, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

Closing Date for Applications: October 12, 2021

Fiscal Year 2021 University Center Economic Development Program (UC) Competition

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has published the FY 2021 University Center Economic Development Program Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF), making $7.4 million in federal funds available to accredited institutions of higher education or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher education in EDA’s Chicago and Philadelphia regions. A combined total of $2.5 million is available for the first year of awards under this competition.

Regional Office	States Served	NOFO Number
Chicago Regional Office:	IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI	EDA-CHI-TA-CRO-2021-2006893
Philadelphia Regional Office:	CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, PR, VI	EDA-PHI-TA-PRO-2021-2006894

For full program details, please visit www.eda.gov/programs/university-centers/.

Closing Date for Applications: Applications are due June 4, 2021 at 11:59pm ET.

Fiscal Year 2021 Build to Scale (B2S) Program

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has published the FY21 Build to Scale (B2S) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity making $38 million in federal funds available to build regional economies through scalable startups. The program continues to further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the next generation of industry leading companies. Under the FY21 B2S program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate competitions through its Venture Challenge and Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge seeks to support entrepreneurship and accelerate scalable companies’ growth in communities that are challenging the status quo of markets, commercializing technology, and furthering job creation. The Capital Challenge seeks to increase access to capital in communities, sectors, or regions where risk capital is in short supply. This includes accelerators, educational institutions, angel networks, and investment funds (B2S does not directly fund individuals or individual startups). For full program details, please visit www.eda.gov/oie/buildtoscale/.

Current Closing Date for Applications: Applications are due April 29, 2021 at 11:59pm ET.

Fiscal Year 2018-2020 Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA) Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year 2018 - 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Research and National Technical Assistance projects. This NOFO makes $1.5 million available for Research and Evaluation (R&E) projects and $1.0 million available for National Technical Assistance (NTA) projects.

Through the R&E program, EDA supports the development of tools, recommendations, and resources that shape Federal economic development policies and inform economic development decision-making. R&E program investments provide critical, cutting-edge research and best practices to regional, state, and local practitioners in the economic development field, thereby enhancing understanding and implementation of economic development concepts throughout the country. EDA also regularly evaluates the impacts and outcomes of its various programs as a means of identifying policy and program modifications that will increase the Agency’s efficiency and effectiveness.

EDA’s NTA program supports a small number of projects that provide technical assistance at a national scope. These projects support best practices among communities trying to solve problems related to economic development goals. By working in conjunction with its national technical assistance partners, EDA helps States, local governments, and community-based organizations to achieve their highest economic potential. The NTA program supports activities that are beneficial to the economic development community nationwide and includes, but is not limited to, outreach, training, and information dissemination. It can also provide assistance with implementation of economic development best practices and proven techniques.

Closing Date for Applications: Extended to 4/20/2021 or until there is a successor NOFO

FY 2020 Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 SPRINT Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity. This $25 million is available to eligible entities to enable regional innovation economies to rapidly address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation. The SPRINT Challenge will fund organizations that support the development, creation, or expansion of programs that accelerate technology-based economic development in pursuit of vibrant, innovative economies and economic growth, and respond to the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The SPRINT Challenge is powered by the CARES Act.

Closing Date for Applications: December 3, 2020

STEM Talent Challenge

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 STEM Talent Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity making $2 million available to eligible entities to create and implement innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeship models that complement their respective region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge seeks to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future (which usually includes industries that leverage emerging technologies), and other innovation driven businesses that have a high likelihood of accelerating economic competitiveness and job creation in their respective regions and in the United States.

Closing Date for Applications: October 14, 2020

Fiscal Year 2020 Regional Innovation Program: Build to Scale Program (Formerly Known as Regional Innovation Strategies)

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Build to Scale Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) making $35 million available to eligible entities to build regional economies through scalable startups. This year's Build to Scale Program includes three competitions supporting entrepreneurship, acceleration of company growth and increased access to risk capital across regional economies.

Closing Date for Applications: Concept Proposals are due March 24, 2020

Fiscal Year 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program

The Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program is now known as the Build to Scale (B2S) Program with a relevant 2020 Funding Opportunity. Please keep an eye on EDA.gov and sign up for our newsletter for the latest information.

FY 2018 Economic Development Assistance Programs Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs

EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. Projects funded by these programs will support the DOC Strategic Plan (2018-2022) by, among other things, leading to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment, advancing innovation, enhancing the manufacturing capacities of regions, providing workforce development opportunities and growing ecosystems that attract foreign direct investment. Through these programs, EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. EDA encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), EDA solicits applications from applicants in order to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs (which includes Assistance to Coal Communities). Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities, including those negatively impacted by changes to the coal economy.

Please access this opportunity, “EDAP2018”, on Grants.gov that supersedes the previously published “EDAP-2017” opportunity.

Closing Date for Applications: There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP NOFO.

FY 2018 EDA University Center Economic Development Program (UC) Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the University Center Economic Development Program Competition for EDA’s Austin and Denver Regional Offices. This NOFO makes approximately $7.4 million available for the program ($2.5 million for the first year of awards under this competition).

The purpose of EDA’s University Center Economic Development Program (also referred to in this announcement as the University Center program) is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers specifically focused on using university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship. University Centers collaborate with other EDA partners by providing expertise and technical assistance to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that result in job creation, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region’s innovation clusters. Expertise and technical assistance may address, for example, workforce training programs, applied research centers, technology commercialization, feasibility studies, market research, economic impact analyses training, and other technical assistance to help communities foster vibrant economic ecosystems.

Closing Date for Applications: July 15, 2018

FY 2017 Economic Development Assistance Programs

Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs

Please note the update to this opportunity and the new Grants.Gov link: effective June 19, 2017

The Economic Development Assistance programs (EDAP) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), EDA will make construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Programs. Through this NOFA, EDA will also designate a portion of its EAA funding to support communities and regions that have been negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy (Assistance to Coal Communities, or ACC 2017). Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Through the EDAP NOFA, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.

Please access this opportunity, “EDAP-2017”, on Grants.gov that supersedes the previously published “EDAP2017” opportunity.

Closing Date for Applications: There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP NOFA. (New EDAP NOFO published July 2, 2018)

FDI and Trade: International Engagement Ready Communities

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the availability of funding for the FY 2017 International Engagement Ready Communities Competition. This $600,000 program seeks to help drive foreign direct investment (FDI) in U.S. communities with diverse economic development needs by enhancing their FDI attraction and export promotion efforts. Through this program, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), SelectUSA, and the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) will support empirical research on successful international engagement strategies and develop best practice reports and a competitiveness assessment tool. These elements will be incorporated into a user-friendly economic development organization (EDO) toolkit and training guide to help local communities assess and increase their ability to become globally competitive while enhancing their trade and FDI promotion activities. Eligibility is open to organizations engaged in economic or infrastructure development opportunities, including state and local governments, Tribal organizations, institutions of higher learning, and other related public or private organizations or associations.

Grant applications are due by June 12. For more information about how to apply, visit: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=293705, or contact: [email protected].

Closing Date for Applications: June 12, 2017

Regional Innovation Strategies Program Competition

EDA's Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) webpage

EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) leads the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program. Under the RIS Program, the centerpiece of the Regional Innovation Program authorized under Section 27 of Stevenson-Wydler (15 U.S.C. § 3722), EDA currently awards grants that build regional capacity to translate innovations into jobs (1) through proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs and (2) through operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage risk capital to innovators and entrepreneurs. The RIS Program consists of two separate competitions: the i6 Challenge and Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants competition. The i6 Challenge is a leading national initiative designed to support the creation of centers for innovation and entrepreneurship that increase the rate at which innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research are translated into products, services, viable companies, and, ultimately, jobs. Through the SFS Grants competition, EDA provides funding for technical assistance to support the creation, launch, or expansion of equity-based, cluster-focused seed funds that invest regionally-managed risk capital in regionally-based startups with a potential for high growth.

Closing Date for Applications: The 2017 RIS Program’s application period closed on June 23, 2017.

FY 2017 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition

Atlanta Region: FY 2017 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition
Seattle Region: FY 2017 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition

This FFO announces the availability of funding for EDA’s FY 2017 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. This program funds technical assistance provided by an accredited institution of higher education that is focused on advancing regional commercialization efforts, entrepreneurship, innovation, business expansion in a region’s innovation cluster(s), and a high-skilled regional workforce.

Closing Date for Applications: March 20, 2017

FY 2016 Economic Development Assistance Programs Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs

Under this FFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.

Closing Date for Applications: There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP FFO.

FY 2016 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition

FY 2016 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition (CHICAGO REGION)
FY 2016 EDA University Center Economic Development Program Competition (PHILADELPHIA REGION)

This FFO announces the availability of funding for EDA’s FY 2016 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. This program funds initiatives that are focused on advancing regional commercialization efforts, entrepreneurship, innovation, business expansion in a region’s innovation cluster, and a high-skilled regional workforce. EDA solicits competitive applications from accredited institutions of higher education and from consortia of accredited institutions of higher education that are located in and have programs targeting only geographic areas served by EDA’s Chicago and Philadelphia Regional Offices.

Closing Date for Applications: May 31, 2016

Integrating Economic Development Across the Federal Government

EDA is seeking applications for a one (1) year cooperative agreement to conduct research and analysis that results in tools for better aligning and integrating federal economic development programs. A core piece of this work will involve the creation and delivery of comprehensive, useable economic development program content that will facilitate access to and maximize the efficiency of such programs. Ultimately, such tools will permit communities seeking federal and other assistance to achieve their economic development objectives. Applicants should describe how they would develop and deliver comprehensive information, including an inventory of federal economic development programs and related content that identifies and clearly delineates the parameters for all economic development programs administered by all federal agencies. At a minimum, parameters for each program must include eligibility, typical uses, complementary uses, target applicant type, the types of activities supported by the program, other funding requirements or constraints and the outputs and outcomes expected by the programs. The ideal inventory would use the lens of EDA's logic model to identify how four key areas of economic development capacity are advanced through the identified federal economic development programs. Additionally, research and analysis will be conducted to explore the extent to which EDA's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) process could fulfill or better align with the economic/community/workforce development planning requirements of other Federal economic development programs. See section I.C of this FFO. Recommendations are sought for improved alignment of planning requirements across such programs.

Closing Date for Applications: Jan 13, 2016

Innovative Metrics for Economic Development – Proof of Concept Study (Closed)

EDA seeks applications to develop and test measures, metrics, indicators, and methodologies to help the agency more effectively assess, evaluate, and report on the full impact of its economic development investments on regional economies across the Nation. Proposals must discuss how robust indicators and metrics will be identified; establish appropriate program metrics for EDA investments and validate the statistical relationship between grant outputs and outcomes (capacity building) and realized (economic growth, competitiveness and sustainability) outcomes. EDA is particularly interested in appropriate program metrics for non-construction, innovation-supporting programs. Models must include testing on EDA grantees, an impact analysis design and how a valid statistical methodology will corroborate that the proposed metric model works. All metrics should be consistent with EDA’s logic model. Deliverables will include an implementation toolkit accessible to EDA staff with operational recommendations in addition to reports establishing proven metrics, supporting analysis and statistical corroboration.

Closing Date for Applications: Aug 21, 2015

Funding Opportunities

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