Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA05192010CLUSTERMAPPINGRESEARCH
Apply for EDA05192010CLUSTERMAPPINGRESEARCH
- The Economic Development Administration in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2010 Cluster Mapping Research Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.312 Research and Evaluation Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 18, 2010 and posted on May 18, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education County governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), eligible applicants for and recipients of EDA investment assistance include a District Organization an Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes a State a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions an institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education and a public or private non profit organization or association. For profit, private sector entities also are eligible for investment assistance under the Research and Evaluation program to carry out specific research or for other purposes set forth in section 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3147) and 13 C.F.R. 306.1. See also 42 U.S.C. 3122.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2010 Cluster Mapping Research Opportunity is a discretionary, competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) under its Research and Evaluation Program (CFDA 11.312). It is designed to fund a single major research effort that helps economic development practitioners better understand, identify, and support regional innovation clusters (RICs). EDA frames RICs as more than traditional industry clusters based on co-location and supply-chain efficiencies. In this opportunity, a regional innovation cluster includes the broader ecosystem that drives innovation in a place: networks of firms and supporting organizations, specialized regional assets, and key institutions such as R&D centers, universities and colleges, national laboratories, venture capital, and entrepreneur networks. The core problem EDA is trying to solve is practical: the academic and policy literature on clusters is extensive, but it has not been translated into accessible, usable tools and guidance for the local and regional professionals who are responsible for job creation, business growth, and long-term competitiveness.
The purpose of the project is to produce a replicable and credible way to identify and map regional innovation clusters across the United States, and then package that information in ways that working practitioners can apply. EDA is looking for a research partner (or team) that can bridge research and on-the-ground economic development practice by building methods, data products, and practical guidance. The expected outcome is not just a report, but a set of durable resources that make cluster-based strategy more actionable for regions, including guidance on what effective clusters look like, how to strengthen them, and how to measure whether cluster initiatives are actually working.
The scope of work outlined in the announcement is broad and structured around several required tasks. Applicants are expected to gather input from practitioners and policymakers so the final products reflect real-world needs rather than purely academic models. They must develop a replicable methodology for identifying regional innovation clusters and then use it to produce a national map of RICs. EDA also wants an interactive mapping tool, implying a web-based or otherwise user-friendly interface that allows stakeholders to explore cluster information geographically and by sector. In addition, the project must include case studies of effective regional innovation clusters to show how clusters operate in practice and what factors contribute to success. The work must also deliver a toolkit that regions can use to identify their own clusters, evaluate readiness, and shape strategies to support innovation-driven growth. A key deliverable is a set of recommended metrics for evaluating RICs, reflecting EDA interest in measurable results and comparable evaluation across regions. Finally, the project must address sustainability, meaning the applicant should explain how the mapping tool, data, and other products will be maintained or remain useful after the award ends.
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically means EDA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance (for example, collaboration on deliverables, review cycles, and alignment with agency priorities). The award ceiling is $1,000,000, with cost sharing or matching required. EDA anticipated making one award under this competition. The opportunity was posted May 18, 2010, and closed June 21, 2010, with an archive date of August 21, 2010.
Eligibility is relatively broad and consistent with EDA authorities under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Eligible applicants include state governments, counties, cities and other political subdivisions (including certain special-purpose development entities), federally recognized tribal governments and consortia of tribes, institutions of higher education (and consortia), and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations. The announcement also notes that for-profit entities can be eligible under the Research and Evaluation program for specific research purposes authorized by statute and regulation. In practical terms, EDA is targeting qualified research performers who can manage a national-scale analytical project while producing practical tools for front-line economic development use.
Overall, the grant is best understood as an effort to make the concept of regional innovation clusters operational at the local level by creating standardized identification methods, national mapping outputs, interactive tools, practical toolkits, and evaluation metrics. EDA is positioning this work as a way to help regions build stronger economic development strategies that can support innovation, spur new business formation, and create jobs, particularly in distressed rural and urban communities across the United States and its territories. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Hillary Sherman Zelenka at hsherman@eda.doc.gov.
FY 2010 Cluster Mapping Research Opportunity (EDA, CFDA 11.312): FAQs
1) What is the FY 2010 Cluster Mapping Research Opportunity?
It is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) under EDA's Research and Evaluation Program (CFDA 11.312). The competition was designed to fund one major research effort focused on identifying and mapping Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs) across the United States and translating cluster research into practical tools for economic development practitioners.
2) What problem is EDA trying to solve with this grant?
EDA notes that there is extensive academic and policy literature on clusters, but that it has not been translated into accessible, usable tools and guidance for local and regional professionals responsible for job creation, business growth, and long-term competitiveness. The grant aims to bridge that gap by producing practical, durable resources.
3) What is a "Regional Innovation Cluster" (RIC) in this opportunity?
In this announcement, a regional innovation cluster is broader than a traditional industry cluster based only on co-location and supply-chain efficiencies. EDA frames an RIC as an ecosystem that drives innovation in a place, including networks of firms and supporting organizations, specialized regional assets, and key institutions such as R&D centers, universities and colleges, national laboratories, venture capital, and entrepreneur networks.
4) What is the purpose of the funded project?
The purpose is to produce a replicable and credible way to identify and map regional innovation clusters across the United States, and then package that information in forms that working practitioners can apply. EDA is seeking methods, data products, interactive tools, case studies, a practitioner toolkit, and recommended evaluation metrics, along with a plan for sustainability.
5) How many awards did EDA expect to make?
EDA anticipated making one award under this competition.
6) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
7) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is required.
8) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement. This typically means EDA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as collaboration on deliverables, review cycles, and alignment with EDA priorities.
9) What are the required tasks or major deliverables?
The scope of work is structured around several required tasks, including:
- Gathering input from practitioners and policymakers so the products reflect real-world needs.
- Developing a replicable methodology for identifying regional innovation clusters.
- Producing a national map of Regional Innovation Clusters using that methodology.
- Delivering an interactive mapping tool (implying a web-based or otherwise user-friendly interface) to explore cluster information geographically and by sector.
- Creating case studies of effective regional innovation clusters to show how clusters operate in practice and what drives success.
- Producing a toolkit regions can use to identify their own clusters, evaluate readiness, and shape strategies to support innovation-driven growth.
- Recommending metrics for evaluating RICs to enable measurable results and comparable evaluation across regions.
- Addressing sustainability, including how tools/data/products will be maintained or remain useful after the award ends.
10) What does EDA mean by a "replicable methodology" for identifying clusters?
Based on the announcement language, EDA is looking for an approach that is credible and can be applied consistently across the United States, enabling the identification and mapping of RICs in a standardized way rather than producing a one-off analysis limited to a single region.
11) What is the expected end product: a report, a tool, or something else?
EDA expects more than a report. The described outcome includes durable resources that make cluster-based strategy actionable, such as mapping outputs, an interactive mapping tool, case studies, a toolkit, and recommended evaluation metrics, plus guidance on what effective clusters look like, how to strengthen them, and how to measure performance.
12) Why does the project need practitioner and policymaker input?
The announcement emphasizes that the final products should reflect real-world needs rather than purely academic models. Input from practitioners and policymakers is required so the tools and guidance are usable by front-line economic development stakeholders.
13) What is the interactive mapping tool expected to do?
EDA indicates the mapping tool should be interactive and user-friendly, allowing stakeholders to explore cluster information geographically and by sector. The announcement implies a web-based or similar interface that practitioners and policymakers can use to navigate cluster data.
14) What role do case studies play in the project?
Case studies are required to illustrate how effective regional innovation clusters operate in practice and to highlight factors that contribute to success, complementing the national mapping and methodology with real-world examples.
15) What is included in the toolkit deliverable?
The toolkit must help regions identify their own clusters, evaluate readiness, and shape strategies to support innovation-driven growth, translating the research and mapping effort into step-by-step, practitioner-oriented guidance.
16) What kinds of metrics does EDA want for evaluating RICs?
The announcement calls for recommended metrics for evaluating regional innovation clusters, reflecting EDA's interest in measurable results and comparable evaluation across regions. The goal is to support assessment of whether cluster initiatives are working.
17) What does "sustainability" mean in this grant context?
Sustainability means the applicant should explain how the mapping tool, data, and other products will be maintained or remain useful after the award ends, so the outputs continue to support economic development practice beyond the project period.
18) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility aligns with EDA authorities under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- Counties, cities, and other political subdivisions (including certain special-purpose development entities)
- Federally recognized tribal governments and consortia of tribes
- Institutions of higher education (and consortia)
- Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations
19) Are for-profit entities allowed to apply?
The announcement notes that for-profit entities can be eligible under the Research and Evaluation program for specific research purposes authorized by statute and regulation.
20) What kind of applicant is EDA trying to fund?
In practical terms, EDA is targeting qualified research performers who can manage a national-scale analytical project while producing practical tools for front-line economic development use, bridging research and on-the-ground practice.
21) What communities is this work intended to help?
EDA positions this work as supporting stronger economic development strategies that can spur innovation, new business formation, and job creation, particularly in distressed rural and urban communities across the United States and its territories.
22) What were the key dates for this opportunity?
- Posted: May 18, 2010
- Closed: June 21, 2010
- Archive date: August 21, 2010
23) Which EDA program and CFDA number applies to this opportunity?
The opportunity is under EDA's Research and Evaluation Program, CFDA 11.312.
24) Who was the point of contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed point of contact was Hillary Sherman Zelenka at hsherman@eda.doc.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development
Next opportunity: WHITE RIVER VALLEY INVASIVE WEEDS SNPLMA PROJECT
Previous opportunity: National Park Service Continued Development and Implementation of an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Program at George Washington Birthplace National Monument
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EDA05192010CLUSTERMAPPINGRESEARCH
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EDA05192010CLUSTERMAPPINGRESEARCH) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Triple Bottom Line Accounting Competition Apply for EDA07012010TBL Funding Number: EDA07012010TBL Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Space Coast RIC Apply for EDA09012010SPACECOASTRIC Funding Number: EDA09012010SPACECOASTRIC Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| FY 2011 Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs Opportunity Apply for EDA11242010PAT Funding Number: EDA11242010PAT Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| i6 Green Apply for I6GREENEDA031011 Funding Number: I6GREENEDA031011 Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY 2012 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Opportunity Apply for FY2012EDAP111811 Funding Number: FY2012EDAP111811 Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 09 University Center Economic Development Program Apply for EDAFY2009UC Funding Number: EDAFY2009UC Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Community TAA Program Opportunity Apply for EDA01112009COMMUNITYTAA Funding Number: EDA01112009COMMUNITYTAA Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2010 University Center Economic Development Program Apply for EDAFY2010UC Funding Number: EDAFY2010UC Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY 2011 Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and GCCMIF Programs Opportunity Apply for EDA10142010EDAP Funding Number: EDA10142010EDAP Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EDA05192010CLUSTERMAPPINGRESEARCH", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.