OpportunityTitle: FY 2013 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
CategoryExplanation: EDA&#146;s mission is to lead the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for economic growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA fulfills this mission through strategic investments and partnerships that create the regional economic ecosystems required to foster globally competitive regions throughout the United States. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery and advancement because regions encompass the centers of growth and competition in the new global economy. EDA recognizes that institutions of higher education are critical players in the development of vibrant economic ecosystems. The purpose of EDA&#146;s University Center Economic Development Program is to assist institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education in establishing and operating University Centers specifically focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support high-growth entrepreneurship.
Description: This FFO announces the availability of funding for EDA&#146;s FY 2013 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. The purpose of EDA&#146;s University Center Economic Development Program (also referred to as the University Center program) is to assist institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education in establishing and operating University Centers specifically focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support high-growth entrepreneurship. University Centers collaborate with other EDA partners by providing resources to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that promote job creation, the development of high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region&#146;s innovation clusters. These resources may include technology commercialization, feasibility studies, market research, economic impact analyses training, and other technical assistance to help communities foster vibrant economic ecosystems. 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 the following geographic areas in EDA&#146;s Austin Region: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas; and in EDA&#146;s Denver Region: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
GrantorContactText: Jessica Falk &lt;br/&gt;EDA Austin Regional Office  &lt;br/&gt;512-381-8168 &lt;br/&gt;jfalk@eda.gov &lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;OR &lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Forlesia Willis &lt;br/&gt;EDA Denver Regional Office  &lt;br/&gt;303-844-5452  &lt;br/&gt;fwillis@eda.gov