Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA05032010I6
Apply for EDA05032010I6
- 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 "i6 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 14, 2010 and posted on May 3, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 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.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- In accordance with the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), only the following types of entities are eligible to receive funding assistance from EDA 1. District Organization (as defined in 13 C.F.R. 304.2) 2. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes 3. State, 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 4. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education or 5. Public or private non profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 C.F.R. 300.3. In addition to satisfying these statutory requirements, in order to be eligible for the i6 Challenge (and as stated in the Definitions section), an Applicant must be either (i) a non profit organization that is formed by a team of more than one individual or entity, including, but not limited to, entrepreneurs, universities, SBIR Grantees, foundations, or other private or non profit organizations, or (ii) a combination of otherwise eligible entities that apply jointly as co applicants to EDA for a single award. EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly to individuals or to for profit entities. However, individuals or for profit entities may form an Applicant or be Partners with Applicants. Applicants (including eligible entities that form part of an Applicant) may submit more than one application to EDA in response to this competitive solicitation. Please also see section III. of the federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for more information.
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Opportunity Summary:
The i6 Challenge is a federal innovation competition led by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), built to push promising ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace faster. It is structured as a multi-agency effort, with EDA coordinating alongside the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The overall goal is to use coordinated federal support to accelerate technology commercialization and new venture creation in U.S. regions, with the broader economic intent of driving growth and job creation.
At its core, the opportunity is focused on strengthening regional innovation ecosystems by targeting weak points in the "research to deployment" pipeline. Applicants are expected to identify where commercialization regularly stalls in their region (for example, gaps in proof-of-concept funding, mentoring, market validation, IP strategy, prototype development, or pathways to early customers and investors) and propose a practical mechanism to close those gaps. The program emphasizes approaches that either fill missing pieces of the continuum or use existing assets in a new way, such as universities, economic development organizations, incubators and accelerators, SBIR-related networks, foundations, and other nonprofit or civic institutions. Proposals are also expected to be grounded in the region's real strengths and competitive advantages rather than trying to copy a one-size-fits-all model.
The i6 Challenge places heavy weight on partnership quality and implementation credibility. Applicants are expected to articulate a real, persistent problem or an unaddressed opportunity with urgency, show strong public-private collaboration, and present a believable plan for accessing resources and getting results. Sustainability matters as well: proposals should explain how the effort will continue after the grant period, rather than ending when federal funding stops. EDA also expects a well-qualified, multi-entity team with clear roles and meaningful partner commitments.
Funding is provided as discretionary grants, with EDA planning to make implementation awards for technical assistance through its Economic Adjustment Assistance program (CFDA 11.307). The competition was described as a $12 million initiative overall, and the listed maximum award amount is $1,000,000 per award. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources and document them according to EDA rules.
Eligibility is restricted to entity types authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act (PWEDA) and EDA regulations. Eligible applicants include: EDA-designated district organizations; Indian Tribes or consortia of Tribes; states and local governments (including special-purpose units) or consortia of political subdivisions; institutions of higher education (or consortia); and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with local government officials. In addition, for this specific i6 Challenge, the applicant must be either a nonprofit organization formed by a team of more than one individual or entity (which can include entrepreneurs, universities, SBIR grantees, foundations, and other private or nonprofit organizations), or a joint application submitted by a combination of otherwise eligible co-applicants for a single award. Importantly, EDA cannot award grants directly to individuals or for-profit entities, although for-profit companies and individuals can participate as part of the broader applicant team or as partners.
Key administrative details included the funding opportunity number (EDA05032010I6), the posted date (May 3, 2010), and the application deadline (July 15, 2010), with an archive date of August 14, 2010. EDA also scheduled an informational conference call for June 21, 2010 at 4 p.m. Eastern to answer applicant questions, with details and updates hosted on the EDA i6 Challenge website. For access issues and questions, the notice provided an email contact at i6@doc.gov.
i6 Challenge (EDA) Grant Opportunity: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the i6 Challenge?
The i6 Challenge is a federal innovation competition led by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). It is designed to move promising ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace faster by accelerating technology commercialization and new venture creation in U.S. regions.
Which federal agencies are involved?
EDA coordinates the i6 Challenge alongside the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a multi-agency effort.
What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by using coordinated federal support to speed up technology commercialization and support new venture creation, with the broader economic intent of driving regional growth and job creation.
What kinds of problems is the i6 Challenge trying to solve?
The i6 Challenge targets weak points in the "research to deployment" pipeline, especially the places where commercialization frequently stalls in a specific region.
What are examples of "weak points" in commercialization that proposals can address?
Examples mentioned include gaps in proof-of-concept funding, mentoring, market validation, intellectual property (IP) strategy, prototype development, and pathways to early customers and investors.
What is EDA looking for in an applicant's proposed solution?
Applicants are expected to propose a practical mechanism to close commercialization gaps in their region. The approach should either fill missing pieces in the innovation continuum or use existing assets in a new way.
What types of regional assets can be used in an i6 Challenge proposal?
Examples include universities, economic development organizations, incubators and accelerators, SBIR-related networks, foundations, and other nonprofit or civic institutions.
Does the i6 Challenge support a standard, one-size-fits-all model?
No. Proposals are expected to be grounded in the region's real strengths and competitive advantages, rather than copying a generic model.
How important are partnerships in this competition?
Partnership quality is heavily weighted. EDA expects strong public-private collaboration and meaningful partner commitments, supported by a well-qualified, multi-entity team with clear roles.
What does EDA mean by "implementation credibility"?
Implementation credibility refers to presenting a believable plan for accessing resources and delivering results, not just describing an idea. Applicants should articulate an urgent, persistent problem or unaddressed opportunity and show they can execute.
Is sustainability after the grant period required?
Yes. Proposals should explain how the effort will continue after the grant period ends, rather than stopping when federal funding stops.
What kind of funding mechanism is used for awards?
Funding is provided as discretionary grants. EDA planned to make implementation awards for technical assistance through its Economic Adjustment Assistance program (CFDA 11.307).
How much funding is available?
The initiative was described as a $12 million effort overall, and the listed maximum award amount is $1,000,000 per award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources and document them in accordance with EDA rules.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to entity types authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act (PWEDA) and EDA regulations. Eligible applicants include:
- EDA-designated district organizations
- Indian Tribes or consortia of Tribes
- States and local governments (including special-purpose units) or consortia of political subdivisions
- Institutions of higher education (or consortia)
- Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with local government officials
Are there additional eligibility requirements specific to the i6 Challenge?
Yes. For this specific i6 Challenge, the applicant must be either (1) a nonprofit organization formed by a team of more than one individual or entity (which can include entrepreneurs, universities, SBIR grantees, foundations, and other private or nonprofit organizations), or (2) a joint application submitted by a combination of otherwise eligible co-applicants for a single award.
Can individuals apply directly?
No. EDA cannot award grants directly to individuals.
Can for-profit companies apply directly?
No. EDA cannot award grants directly to for-profit entities.
Can for-profit companies or individuals still participate in some way?
Yes. For-profit companies and individuals can participate as part of the broader applicant team or as partners, even though they cannot be the direct grant recipient.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is EDA05032010I6.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posted date listed is May 3, 2010.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is July 15, 2010.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is August 14, 2010.
Was there an informational call for applicants?
Yes. EDA scheduled an informational conference call for June 21, 2010 at 4 p.m. Eastern to answer applicant questions.
Where could applicants find updates and call details?
Details and updates were hosted on the EDA i6 Challenge website.
Who should applicants contact for access issues or questions?
The notice provided the email contact i6@doc.gov.
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