FY 2021 EDA University Center Competition - PRO

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting competitive applications for the FY 2021 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. The program aims to establish and operate University Centers that provide technical assistance to support regional economic development, innovation, and high-growth entrepreneurship. Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education and consortia of accredited institutions of higher education. The program focuses on six key areas: advancing regional commercialization efforts, advancing high-growth entrepreneurship, cultivating innovation, encouraging business expansion in a region's innovation cluster, developing a high-skilled regional workforce, and increasing the resiliency of a region. Some of the key services that University Centers may provide include workforce training programs, applied research centers, technology commercialization, feasibility studies, market research, and economic impact analyses. • The University Center program is a competitive multi-year program, with awards having a five-year period of performance and an initial funding period of one year. • The program encourages applications that align with the DOC Strategic Plan, with a focus on advancing STEM skills and capabilities. • The program also encourages applications that benefit distressed communities, present a clear plan for collaborating with other EDA investment partners, and offer services within a well-defined geographic region.