Opportunity Information: Apply for JIAC2012AM
Apply for JIAC2012AM
- The Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge in the employment, labor and training energy other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance 11.611 Manufacturing Extension Partnership 17.268 H 1B Job Training Grants 59.007 7(j) Technical Assistance 81.086 Conservation Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 3, 2012 and posted on May 24, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 11, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $26,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Each agency contributing to this Funding Opportunity has different eligibility requirements. Please see the following sections of the Funding Opportunity for more specific eligibility information Section IV.A.2 for EDA Eligibility Information Section IV.B.2 for NIST Eligibility Information Section IV.C.2 for DOE Eligibility Information Section IV.D.2 for ETA Eligibility Information Section IV.E.2 for SBA Eligibility Information.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (Funding Opportunity Number JIAC2012AM) is a competitive federal grant/cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at strengthening regional advanced manufacturing ecosystems in the United States. The core idea is to help regional partnerships build or accelerate high-potential industry clusters by supporting advanced manufacturing activities that can lead to job creation, new business growth, increased productivity, and broader regional economic prosperity. Rather than funding isolated projects, the program is structured to back coordinated, place-based strategies identified by regional stakeholders, with an emphasis on efforts that can attract additional public and private investment and translate innovation into measurable employment and economic outcomes.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its multi-agency design. Applicants submit a single, coordinated application that is reviewed through a multi-agency process, with the goal of aligning complementary federal tools into one cluster-focused initiative. The participating agencies and programs include the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In addition, the National Science Foundation (NSF) makes related funds available specifically for existing SBIR Phase II grantees that are central to selected projects, effectively providing a pathway for certain innovation-driven small businesses already in the SBIR pipeline to plug into winning regional cluster efforts.
In terms of funding scale and awards, the agencies anticipated approximately $26,000,000 in total federal support to make around 12 awards. Individual awards could be as high as $2,300,000, with a project performance period of up to three years. The exact amount contributed by each agency could vary depending on the availability of funds and each agency’s appropriations, which means final award structures might differ across winning projects based on which agency resources are most aligned with the proposed activities. The program requires cost sharing or matching, reinforcing the expectation that regions bring their own financial commitment and/or leverage non-federal investment alongside federal support.
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, and the supported activity areas span economic and regional development, science and technology and other R&D, energy-related manufacturing innovation, and employment and training. The CFDA references reflect that blend, tying the competition to multiple federal assistance programs, including EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (11.307), NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (11.611), DOL H-1B Job Training Grants (17.268), SBA 7(j) Technical Assistance (59.007), and DOE Conservation Research and Development (81.086). In practice, that mix signals that competitive proposals were expected to connect manufacturing competitiveness and technology deployment with workforce development and small business support, rather than treating these as separate tracks.
Eligibility is not governed by a single uniform rule because each participating agency applies its own eligibility requirements. The announcement directs applicants to review the agency-specific eligibility sections (for EDA, NIST, DOE, ETA, and SBA) to confirm whether their organization and proposed activities qualify under each component. The broader framing, however, is that “regional partnerships†are the intended applicants, which typically implies a coalition-style approach involving multiple local and regional actors such as economic development organizations, higher education institutions, workforce entities, manufacturing support organizations, industry groups, and small business partners, organized around a shared cluster strategy.
Key logistical details from the posting include an original posting date of May 24, 2012, with a closing window in July 2012 (originally July 9, later reflected as July 11). The opportunity was later archived in August 2012. For assistance accessing the full announcement, the contact point listed is mfgjobsaccelerator@eda.gov, and additional information was provided through an Advanced Manufacturing Jobs Accelerator website link in the original notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC2012AM)?
The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (Funding Opportunity Number JIAC2012AM) is a competitive federal grant/cooperative agreement opportunity designed to strengthen regional advanced manufacturing ecosystems in the United States. It focuses on helping regional partnerships build or accelerate high-potential industry clusters through coordinated, place-based strategies that translate innovation into job creation and broader regional economic outcomes.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The core goal is to support coordinated regional cluster initiatives in advanced manufacturing that can lead to measurable outcomes such as job creation, new business growth, increased productivity, and stronger regional economic prosperity. The program emphasizes strategies that attract additional public and private investment and align regional stakeholders around a shared plan.
Is this funding meant for isolated projects or broader regional strategies?
This opportunity is structured to support coordinated, place-based strategies rather than isolated, standalone projects. The intent is to fund regionally identified cluster initiatives that bring multiple partners and activities together in a cohesive effort.
Which federal agencies participate in this opportunity?
This is a multi-agency opportunity. Participating agencies and programs include:
- U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO)
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
How does the multi-agency application process work?
Applicants submit a single, coordinated application that is reviewed through a multi-agency process. The purpose is to align complementary federal resources into one cluster-focused initiative, rather than having applicants apply separately to each participating agency for separate pieces of the effort.
Does the National Science Foundation (NSF) play a role in this opportunity?
Yes. The NSF makes related funds available specifically for existing SBIR Phase II grantees that are central to selected projects. This provides a pathway for certain innovation-driven small businesses already in the SBIR Phase II pipeline to connect into winning regional cluster efforts.
How much total funding was anticipated, and how many awards were expected?
The agencies anticipated approximately $26,000,000 in total federal support and expected to make around 12 awards.
What was the maximum award size?
Individual awards could be as high as $2,300,000.
How long could projects last under this opportunity?
The project performance period could be up to three years.
Will each award have the same mix of federal funding sources?
Not necessarily. The amount contributed by each participating agency could vary based on the availability of funds and each agency's appropriations. As a result, final award structures could differ across selected projects depending on which agency resources best align with the proposed activities.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching, reflecting an expectation that regions bring their own financial commitment and/or leverage non-federal investment alongside federal support.
What type of funding is this (formula or discretionary)?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What activity areas does this opportunity support?
The supported activity areas span multiple domains, including:
- Economic and regional development
- Science and technology and other R&D
- Energy-related manufacturing innovation
- Employment and training
The design signals an expectation that proposals connect manufacturing competitiveness and technology deployment with workforce development and small business support.
Which CFDA programs are referenced in the opportunity?
The CFDA references reflect the multi-agency nature of the competition and include:
- EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (11.307)
- NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (11.611)
- DOL H-1B Job Training Grants (17.268)
- SBA 7(j) Technical Assistance (59.007)
- DOE Conservation Research and Development (81.086)
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is not governed by a single uniform rule because each participating agency applies its own eligibility requirements. Applicants are directed to review the agency-specific eligibility sections for EDA, NIST, DOE, ETA, and SBA to confirm whether their organization and proposed activities qualify under each component.
What kind of applicant is the opportunity designed for?
The opportunity is framed around "regional partnerships" as the intended applicants. This generally implies a coalition approach involving multiple local and regional stakeholders organized around a shared advanced manufacturing cluster strategy.
What types of organizations are implied as potential regional partners?
While eligibility depends on each agency's rules, the posting indicates that regional partnerships typically involve combinations of local and regional actors such as economic development organizations, higher education institutions, workforce entities, manufacturing support organizations, industry groups, and small business partners.
When was the opportunity originally posted?
The original posting date was May 24, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The closing window was in July 2012. The posting reflects an original closing date of July 9, later reflected as July 11.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was later archived in August 2012.
Where can applicants request help accessing the full announcement?
The contact point listed for assistance accessing the full announcement is mfgjobsaccelerator@eda.gov.
Was there an external site referenced for more information?
Yes. The original notice referenced an Advanced Manufacturing Jobs Accelerator website link for additional information.
What outcomes was the program trying to drive at the regional level?
The program emphasized outcomes including job creation, new business growth, increased productivity, and broader regional economic prosperity, supported through cluster-based strategies that can attract additional public and private investment.
Does this opportunity involve grants, cooperative agreements, or both?
The posting describes the opportunity as a federal grant/cooperative agreement competition.
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