Opportunity Information: Apply for I6GREENEDA031011
Apply for I6GREENEDA031011
- 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 Green" 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 Mar 10, 2011 and posted on Mar 10, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 26, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $6,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) City or township governments County governments State governments Private institutions of higher education.
- Pursuant to EDAs authorizing statute, 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. Under i6 Green, an eligible applicant must propose a Proof of Concept Center designed to accelerate technology led economic development in pursuit of a green, efficient economy. Please see section I.A. of the i6 Green Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for more information. EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly or indirectly to individuals or to for profit entities. However, please note that supplemental Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funds provided through the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) may be available to for profit entities that are existing SBIR grantees (Phase II only) and are part of or central to the scope of work of winning applications. See also section II.B. of the i6 Green FFO for information on additional funding opportunities and section III.A. for complete information on EDA s eligibility requirements.
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Opportunity Summary:
The i6 Green program is a competitive, multi-agency federal grant opportunity led by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) that targets the overlap between regional economic development and environmental quality. Its core purpose is to push forward a clean, innovation-driven economy by backing practical, on-the-ground efforts that speed up technology commercialization and the creation of new ventures. Rather than funding isolated research projects, i6 Green is designed to reward communities that can build or expand a Proof of Concept Center (PoCC) and use it as a catalyst to turn promising green technologies into market-ready products, companies, and jobs.
At the heart of the competition is the expectation that applicants will identify a persistent regional challenge or a clear, currently underserved opportunity related to the green economy, and make a convincing case that the issue is urgent. The proposal needs to show how a PoCC will directly remove barriers that typically slow commercialization, such as gaps in early validation funding, lack of prototyping capacity, limited access to mentors and industry partners, weak pathways to intellectual property protection, or insufficient support for company formation. EDA is looking for regionally grounded strategies where the PoCC is not just a facility or a concept, but an operating platform that can repeatedly move innovations from lab or prototype stages into real-world adoption, investment, and sustained business activity.
The opportunity is structured as a discretionary award under a grant or cooperative agreement mechanism, with a cost share or matching requirement. EDA anticipated making about six awards, with total estimated program funding of $6,000,000 and an award ceiling of $1,000,000 per recipient. The funding is connected to EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance program (CFDA 11.307). The original posting date was March 10, 2011, and the application deadline was May 26, 2011 (with the opportunity archived September 30, 2011). While those dates reflect the specific competition cycle described in the source, the program description is useful for understanding what EDA was funding and how applicants were expected to structure a competitive regional innovation proposal.
Eligibility is anchored in EDA's authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Eligible applicants include district organizations, federally recognized tribal governments (or consortia of tribes), states and local governments (including special purpose units and consortia), institutions of higher education (or consortia), and public or private nonprofit organizations acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state. Importantly, EDA is not authorized to award grants directly to individuals or for-profit entities. However, the opportunity was designed with an added layer of potential support for commercialization: existing Phase II SBIR awardees that are central to a winning regional proposal could be eligible for supplemental SBIR funding through participating agencies, even though the main EDA award itself does not go to for-profits.
A defining feature of i6 Green is that it is coordinated across multiple federal partners, reflecting the program's emphasis on aligning commercialization, environmental outcomes, and manufacturing competitiveness. The participating agencies listed include the National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA), Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Beyond the core EDA award, winners and their partners may be positioned to access supplemental opportunities, including SBIR supplements from NSF, EPA, and USDA/NIFA for eligible Phase II SBIR grantees involved in the project, possible non-SBIR funding from EPA and DOE, and service support from USPTO and NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). All of these add-ons are contingent on available funding and on meeting each agency's specific requirements, but they signal that EDA wanted applicants to build credible, integrated pathways from invention to commercialization to production.
From a proposal design standpoint, the program stresses sustainability and capacity, not one-time activities. Applicants are expected to present a credible plan to secure additional resources beyond the EDA grant and to demonstrate that the effort will continue after the award period ends. That typically means showing committed partners, experienced leadership, a pipeline of technologies and entrepreneurs to serve, and a clear operating model for the Proof of Concept Center. EDA also expects a well-qualified team and a strong regional network, since the program is fundamentally about creating durable economic opportunity in a defined region, not simply funding technology development in the abstract.
The opportunity number for this competition was I6GREENEDA031011, titled "i6 Green," administered by the Economic Development Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Additional details and the full set of program requirements were referenced in the official Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement (including key sections on program expectations and on supplemental funding and service opportunities). For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact was Lindsey Pangretic at grants@eda.doc.gov.
i6 Green (EDA) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the i6 Green program?
i6 Green is a competitive, multi-agency federal grant opportunity led by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). It targets the intersection of regional economic development and environmental quality by supporting practical efforts that accelerate clean-technology commercialization and new venture creation.
What is the main goal of i6 Green?
The central goal is to help regions build a clean, innovation-driven economy by moving promising green technologies toward market-ready products, new companies, and jobs. The program emphasizes on-the-ground commercialization and venture formation rather than standalone research activities.
What kinds of projects does i6 Green fund?
i6 Green is designed to reward communities that can build or expand a Proof of Concept Center (PoCC) and operate it as a platform to repeatedly advance green innovations from lab/prototype stages into real-world adoption, investment, and sustained business activity.
Does i6 Green fund isolated research projects?
No. The program is explicitly positioned as a commercialization and venture-creation effort, not a funding source for isolated research projects. Proposals are expected to show how a PoCC removes barriers to commercialization and supports company formation and market adoption.
What is a Proof of Concept Center (PoCC) in the context of i6 Green?
Within i6 Green, a PoCC is expected to be an operating platform (not just a facility or a concept) that helps validate technologies, support prototyping, connect innovators to mentors and industry partners, strengthen IP pathways, and support startup formation so that innovations can reach the market.
What regional focus does EDA expect in an i6 Green proposal?
Applicants are expected to identify a persistent regional challenge or a clearly underserved opportunity tied to the green economy, explain why it is urgent, and show how the proposed PoCC will directly address the region-specific commercialization gaps.
What commercialization barriers should a proposal address?
The opportunity highlights typical barriers such as gaps in early validation funding, limited prototyping capacity, lack of mentors and industry partners, weak pathways to intellectual property protection, and insufficient support for company formation. Competitive proposals are expected to show how the PoCC will remove these barriers.
How many awards were anticipated and what was the funding level?
EDA anticipated making about six awards. Total estimated program funding was $6,000,000, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 per recipient.
What is the award type and are matching funds required?
The opportunity was structured as a discretionary award made under a grant or cooperative agreement mechanism, and it included a cost share or matching requirement.
What program is i6 Green associated with?
The funding is connected to EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance program (CFDA 11.307).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is tied to EDA's authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Eligible applicants include district organizations; federally recognized tribal governments (or consortia of tribes); states and local governments (including special purpose units and consortia); institutions of higher education (or consortia); and public or private nonprofit organizations acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state.
Can individuals apply for i6 Green?
No. EDA is not authorized to award i6 Green grants directly to individuals.
Can for-profit companies apply for or receive the main EDA i6 Green award?
No. EDA is not authorized to award i6 Green grants directly to for-profit entities.
If for-profits cannot receive the main award, how can businesses be involved?
While the main EDA award does not go to for-profits, the opportunity described a path for commercialization support: existing Phase II SBIR awardees that are central to a winning regional proposal could be eligible for supplemental SBIR funding through participating agencies (subject to each agency's requirements and available funding).
Which federal agencies participated in or coordinated with i6 Green?
The opportunity lists multiple participating federal partners: the National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA), Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
What supplemental funding or support could be available beyond the EDA award?
The description notes that winners and their partners may be positioned to access supplemental opportunities, including SBIR supplements from NSF, EPA, and USDA/NIFA for eligible Phase II SBIR grantees involved in the project, possible non-SBIR funding from EPA and DOE, and service support from USPTO and NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). These add-ons were contingent on available funding and meeting each agency's requirements.
What does EDA mean by sustainability for a Proof of Concept Center?
The program stresses sustainability and capacity rather than one-time activities. Applicants are expected to present a credible plan to secure additional resources beyond the EDA grant and to demonstrate that the effort will continue after the award period ends.
What kinds of capacity and partnerships does EDA expect to see?
Proposals are expected to reflect committed partners, experienced leadership, a pipeline of technologies and entrepreneurs to serve, and a clear operating model for the PoCC. EDA also expects a well-qualified team and a strong regional network because the program focuses on durable economic opportunity in a defined region.
What is the opportunity number and title?
The opportunity number was I6GREENEDA031011, and the title was "i6 Green."
Which agency administered the competition?
The competition was administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The original posting date was March 10, 2011. The application deadline was May 26, 2011, and the opportunity was archived on September 30, 2011.
Are those dates current?
The dates provided reflect the specific competition cycle described in the source. The program description remains useful for understanding what EDA funded and how applicants were expected to structure a competitive regional innovation proposal during that cycle.
Where were the full requirements described?
Additional details and the full set of program requirements were referenced in the official Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement, including sections on program expectations and supplemental funding and service opportunities.
Who was the listed contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact was Lindsey Pangretic at grants@eda.doc.gov.
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