OpportunityTitle: FY 2011 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
CategoryExplanation: The Economic Development Administration&#146;s (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.  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.  EDA-sponsored University Centers support regional economic strategies through accelerated research and technology commercialization targeting industry sectors that have the potential to generate high-skilled jobs.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: An accredited institution of higher education, including a community college, or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher education is eligible to apply for and to receive funding under the University Center Economic Development Program.  See section 3(12) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. &#167; 3122(12)) and 13 C.F.R. &#167; 300.3.  A university-affiliated research foundation also is eligible to apply for and to receive funding under this opportunity, provided it demonstrates (e.g., a letter or other documentation from a university President or Chancellor) that it maintains the full and integral support of the university with respect to its economic development activities.  For applicants applying as a consortium, one accredited institution must be identified as the lead agent that would have lead responsibility to EDA and to the other members of the consortium for implementing an award.  A non-profit organization, in good standing and participating in the institution&#146;s proposed project in connection with an application under this opportunity, may partner with a consortium; provided that the organization itself is affiliated with and directed by an accredited institution of higher education.      Pursuant to the University Center Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement, EDA is soliciting applications from accredited institutions of higher education and from consortia of accredited institutions of higher education to operate University Centers from applicants in (and programs targeting) only the following geographic areas served by EDA&#146;s Chicago and Philadelphia Regional Offices:  Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Muscatine and Scott counties in Iowa; and Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and West Virginia, respectively.
Description: EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship. A regional economic ecosystem is comprised of three main components: (1) A highly networked regional talent pool, with specialized expertise relevant to the region&#146;s innovation clusters (with connections along the supply chain and across disciplines, so that researchers, academics, investors, suppliers, and entrepreneurs can efficiently share ideas and best practices); (2) A support system for researchers and scientists seeking to turn their discoveries into marketable goods and services, including business counseling, incubation programs, and proof-of-concept centers; and (3) Innovation infrastructure (which includes both tangible and non-tangible types of infrastructure) necessary to support innovation such as physical infrastructure, education, workforce development, and financial infrastructure. EDA recognizes that the nation&#146;s universities&#151;with their unparalleled access to researchers and academics in a variety of science and engineering disciplines, top-notch business schools, and world-class laboratories and research facilities&#151;are uniquely poised to help advance regional economic ecosystems. Additionally, University Centers facilitate environments conducive to trade and global exports by providing comprehensive trade services for businesses to connect to international markets. These vital services assist businesses bringing products to international markets and improve the competitiveness of firms in the region. EDA seeks to fund University Centers that identify concrete activities that will be engaged in during the project period to support relevant components of a regional economic ecosystem. In addition, EDA seeks University Center program applications that will benefit distressed communities by linking these communities to larger, more vibrant regional economies. EDA encourages projects that present a clear plan for collaborating with and assisting other EDA investment partners, recipients, and stakeholders, including EDA-funded Economic Development Districts (EDDs); provide for regional, Statewide and multi-State programs; and creating synergies with EDA&#146;s Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, and Partnership Planning programs. To obtain the maximum effect of available program funds, EDA will strive to fund University Centers that offer the widest possible geographic coverage in the States and territories covered by the Chicago and Philadelphia Regional Offices, and offer a full range of economic development research and technical assistance services to EDA regional partners (e.g., District Organizations, which are EDA-designated organizations that lead and provide services to EDDs as defined at 13 C.F.R. &#167; 304.2). Services must be tailored appropriately to the region&#146;s needs and each sponsoring institution&#146;s (or consortium&#146;s) strengths. EDA will strive to avoid funding duplicative services among selected University Centers. EDA will not fund University Centers that operate in isolation from other resources at the institution of higher education (or consortium) receiving the award. University Center programs not focused on economic development activities that foster higher-skill, higher-wage job creation and private sector investments are encouraged to seek financial support from other sources. Please see the full FFO announcement under &quot;University Center FFO Announcement Link&quot; below for complete information regarding the competition and to help ensure your application is timely received by EDA.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: grants@eda.doc.gov
GrantorContactText: Lindsey Pangretic