FY 2021 EDA University Center Competition - CRO

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications for the FY 2021 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. The program aims to support the establishment of University Centers that will provide technical assistance to regions in the United States. The University Centers will focus on advancing regional commercialization efforts, high-growth entrepreneurship, innovation, business expansion, and workforce development. The competition is open to accredited institutions of higher education and consortia of accredited institutions of higher education. The applicants must demonstrate how they will integrate their programs across their respective institutions and regional stakeholders to increase the impact of programs that support economic development. • The program will provide funding for a five-year period, with an initial funding period of one year. • The selected University Centers will not have to compete for the second, third, fourth, and fifth years of funding. • The funding will be used to support technical assistance, applied research, and other activities that promote economic development in the regions. • The applicants must demonstrate a record of success in fostering higher-skill, higher-wage private sector job creation, as well as the ability to engage the private sector and leverage other sources of financial support. • The EDA will strive to avoid funding duplicative services among selected University Centers.