Opportunity Information: Apply for EDAFY2010UC
Apply for EDAFY2010UC
- 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 University Center Economic Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.303 Economic DevelopmentTechnical Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 4, 2010 and posted on Mar 4, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 1, 2010 Please see the full federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for the FY 2010 University Center competition for complete information on close date times. A link to the FFO is provided below.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,437,408.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education.
- 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 the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3122(12)) and 13 C.F.R. 300.3. A university affiliated research foundation also is eligible to apply for and to receive funding under this competition, 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 s proposed project in connection with an application under this competition, may partner with a consortium provided that the organization itself is affiliated with and directed by an accredited institution of higher education. EDA holds University Center Economic Development Program competitions in two of its six regional offices each fiscal year. In FY 2010, EDA will hold a competition in its Austin and Denver regional offices. Therefore, EDA is soliciting competitive 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 geographic areas served by EDA s Austin and Denver regional offices. The Austin regional office serves Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Denver regional office serves Colorado, Iowa (excluding Muscatine and Scott counties), Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2010 University Center Economic Development Program (Funding Opportunity Number EDAFY2010UC) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), under CFDA 11.303 (Economic Development Technical Assistance). The core idea is to fund accredited colleges, universities, and consortia so they can establish and operate EDA-sponsored "University Centers" that serve as applied economic development hubs. EDA positions these centers as a way to tap the practical assets of higher education institutions (faculty expertise, staff capacity, students, libraries, labs, facilities, and technology) to help communities and regions strengthen competitiveness, build capacity, and respond to real economic challenges.
Funded University Centers are expected to carry out applied research and deliver technical assistance to public and private sector organizations, along with related activities that directly support regional economic development. EDA is especially interested in proposals that will meaningfully benefit economically distressed areas. In this program, "distress" is broadly defined and can include high unemployment, low incomes, concentrated poverty, declines in per-capita income tied to business failures or closures, major layoffs or plant shutdowns, military base closures, disasters, depleted natural resources, shrinking tax bases, or population loss driven by weak job markets. The emphasis is not simply on academic study, but on practical, implementable work that helps regions recover and reposition themselves.
The program is geared toward outcomes that strengthen long-term regional and national competitiveness, particularly by helping regions create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs and attract private capital investment. EDA frames University Centers as regional, statewide, or multi-state platforms that can address economic development problems and opportunities at scale, rather than operating as isolated campus projects. Proposals are encouraged to align with and create synergies across EDA's other investments, including Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and Planning programs, and to collaborate with other EDA partners, recipients, and stakeholders so the federal investment produces compounding benefits rather than standalone activities.
A key operational feature of this competition is its geographic targeting. EDA runs University Center competitions in only two of its six regional offices each fiscal year, and in FY 2010 the competition is limited to EDA's Austin and Denver regional office territories. The Austin region covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Denver region covers Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Iowa excluding Muscatine and Scott counties. Applicants must be located in, and propose programs targeting, only these eligible geographic areas, reflecting EDA's intent to maximize coverage and avoid duplication across a defined footprint in a given year.
Eligibility is centered on accredited institutions of higher education, including community colleges, as well as consortia of accredited institutions. A university-affiliated research foundation may also apply if it can demonstrate full and integral support from the university for the proposed economic development activities (for example, with documentation from a university president or chancellor). For consortium applications, one accredited institution must serve as the lead agent, taking primary responsibility to EDA and coordinating implementation among consortium members. The opportunity also contemplates certain nonprofit partners, but only where the nonprofit is affiliated with and directed by an accredited institution and is participating in the proposed project in connection with a consortium.
In terms of funding scale, EDA estimated total funding of $7,437,408 for the competition, with an anticipated 25 awards and an award ceiling of $200,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and there is a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the program rules described in the full federal funding opportunity (FFO). The opportunity was posted March 4, 2010, with an original and current closing date of June 1, 2010, and an archive date of September 1, 2010 (with the note that applicants should consult the full FFO for complete details, including close date times).
Finally, EDA makes clear that it is trying to fund a portfolio of University Centers that, collectively, provides broad geographic coverage across the Austin and Denver regions and delivers a full range of services tailored to local needs and institutional strengths. The agency explicitly aims to avoid funding duplicative services where practical and will not support University Centers that operate in isolation from other resources within the sponsoring institution or consortium. Projects that are not focused on economic development activities tied to higher-skill, higher-wage job creation and private investment attraction are encouraged to seek funding from other sources, underscoring that EDA is looking for economic development impact rather than general university programming. For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact is Lindsey Pangretic at grants@eda.doc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2010 University Center Economic Development Program?
It is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund accredited colleges, universities, and consortia to establish and operate EDA-sponsored "University Centers" focused on applied economic development work.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is EDAFY2010UC.
What CFDA program does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity is under CFDA 11.303, Economic Development Technical Assistance.
What is a University Center in EDA's terms?
An EDA University Center is an applied economic development hub based at (or led by) an accredited institution of higher education. EDA positions these centers as a way to use practical assets of higher education institutions (faculty and staff expertise, students, libraries, labs, facilities, and technology) to help communities and regions address real economic challenges.
What kinds of activities are University Centers expected to carry out?
Funded University Centers are expected to conduct applied research and deliver technical assistance to public and private sector organizations, along with related activities that directly support regional economic development.
Is this program focused on academic research only?
No. The emphasis is on practical, implementable work that helps regions recover and reposition themselves, not purely academic study.
What outcomes is EDA trying to achieve through this program?
EDA is seeking outcomes that strengthen long-term regional and national competitiveness, especially by helping regions create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs and attract private capital investment.
Does EDA prioritize economically distressed areas?
Yes. EDA is especially interested in proposals that will meaningfully benefit economically distressed areas.
How does the program define "economic distress" for purposes of this opportunity?
Distress is broadly defined and may include high unemployment, low incomes, concentrated poverty, declines in per-capita income tied to business failures or closures, major layoffs or plant shutdowns, military base closures, disasters, depleted natural resources, shrinking tax bases, or population loss driven by weak job markets.
Is this a nationwide competition?
No. In FY 2010, the University Center competition is limited to two of EDA's six regional office territories: the Austin region and the Denver region.
Which states are eligible under the Austin regional office territory?
The Austin region covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Which states are eligible under the Denver regional office territory?
The Denver region covers Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Iowa excluding Muscatine and Scott counties.
Are Muscatine County and Scott County in Iowa eligible?
No. The eligible Denver region geography includes Iowa excluding Muscatine and Scott counties.
Do applicants need to be located in the eligible regions?
Yes. Applicants must be located in, and propose programs targeting only, the eligible geographic areas in the Austin and Denver regions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education (including community colleges) and consortia of accredited institutions. A university-affiliated research foundation may also apply if it can demonstrate full and integral support from the university for the proposed economic development activities.
Can community colleges apply?
Yes. Community colleges are included as eligible accredited institutions of higher education.
Can a consortium apply, and how does that work?
Yes. Consortia of accredited institutions may apply, but one accredited institution must serve as the lead agent. The lead agent holds primary responsibility to EDA and coordinates implementation among consortium members.
Can a university-affiliated research foundation apply directly?
Yes, if it can demonstrate full and integral university support for the proposed economic development activities, such as documentation from a university president or chancellor.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible applicants?
The opportunity contemplates certain nonprofit partners only in a narrow case: where the nonprofit is affiliated with and directed by an accredited institution and participates in the proposed project in connection with a consortium.
What is the total estimated funding available for the competition?
EDA estimated total funding of $7,437,408 for this competition.
How many awards does EDA anticipate making?
EDA anticipated approximately 25 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $200,000.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. There is a cost-sharing/matching requirement, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the program rules described in the full federal funding opportunity (FFO).
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 4, 2010.
What is the application closing date?
The original and current closing date is June 1, 2010. The announcement notes that applicants should consult the full FFO for complete details, including close date times.
What is the archive date?
The archive date is September 1, 2010.
Does EDA encourage coordination with other EDA programs and investments?
Yes. Proposals are encouraged to align with and create synergies across EDA's other investments, including Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and Planning programs, and to collaborate with other EDA partners, recipients, and stakeholders.
Does EDA want University Centers to operate as standalone campus projects?
No. EDA frames University Centers as regional, statewide, or multi-state platforms that address economic development problems and opportunities at scale rather than isolated campus projects.
Will EDA fund duplicative University Center services in the same footprint?
EDA aims to fund a portfolio of University Centers that collectively provides broad geographic coverage and explicitly seeks to avoid funding duplicative services where practical.
Will EDA support a University Center that operates in isolation from the sponsoring institution or consortium?
No. EDA states it will not support University Centers that operate in isolation from other resources within the sponsoring institution or consortium.
What kind of projects might be a poor fit for this opportunity?
Projects that are not focused on economic development activities tied to higher-skill, higher-wage job creation and private investment attraction are encouraged to seek funding from other sources.
Who should be contacted if there are access issues with the full announcement?
For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact is Lindsey Pangretic at grants@eda.doc.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Economic Development Administration
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: Rcovery Act Rehabilitate Historic Agricultural Fields
Previous opportunity: Office of Innovation and Improvement Magnet Schools Assistance Program CFDA 84.165A
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 EDAFY2010UC
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EDAFY2010UC) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 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 "EDAFY2010UC", 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.