Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA HDQ RNTA 2015 2004523
Apply for EDA HDQ RNTA 2015 2004523
- The Department of Commerce 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 "Innovative Metrics for Economic Development Proof of Concept Study" 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 Jul 8, 2015 and posted on Jul 8, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 21, 2015. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Pursuant to section 3(4) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122(4)) and 13 CFR 300.3 (Eligible Recipient), 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 or a public or private non profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), offered a discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity titled "Innovative Metrics for Economic Development - Proof of Concept Study" (Funding Opportunity Number EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2015-2004523). The core purpose of the grant was to fund a proof-of-concept effort that would improve how EDA measures and communicates the real-world effects of its economic development investments across U.S. regions. Rather than focusing on building or construction outcomes, the opportunity emphasized developing better ways to assess the broader and often harder-to-measure impacts of EDA-funded activities, especially programs that support innovation and other non-construction initiatives.
At the center of the announcement is EDA's need for stronger, more credible performance measures. Applicants were asked to propose how they would identify and define robust indicators, metrics, and methodologies that EDA could use to assess what its grants actually accomplish. A key expectation was to connect the dots between (1) grant outputs and near-term outcomes, such as capacity building or institutional improvements, and (2) longer-term, realized outcomes such as economic growth, regional competitiveness, and sustainability. In practical terms, proposals had to show a defensible plan for selecting metrics that reflect EDA's program logic and then demonstrating, with statistical evidence, that those metrics meaningfully relate to real economic outcomes rather than simply describing activity.
EDA made clear that it was not looking for metrics in the abstract. The proposed models had to be tested on EDA grantees, meaning applicants needed to demonstrate how their measures would perform in realistic, real-program conditions. The opportunity also required an impact analysis design, so applicants needed to explain how they would evaluate whether observed outcomes could plausibly be attributed to EDA investments. Just as important, the proposal had to describe the statistical methodology that would be used to validate the metric model, including how the approach would corroborate that the proposed indicators are reliable, measurable, and predictive (or at least strongly associated) with the intended economic development outcomes.
Another central requirement was alignment with EDA's logic model. This means the metrics and indicators could not be random or purely academic; they needed to map to how EDA conceptualizes change from investments (inputs and activities) to outputs, intermediate outcomes (like strengthened regional collaboration, innovation capacity, or workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystems), and eventual economic impacts. EDA showed particular interest in metrics suitable for non-construction and innovation-supporting programs, which often generate benefits like network effects, commercialization capacity, cluster development, or improved regional institutions that traditional infrastructure metrics do not capture well.
Deliverables were designed to be practical and usable by the agency, not just written research findings. Recipients were expected to produce reports that (1) establish the proposed metrics, (2) provide the supporting analysis and evidence behind them, and (3) include statistical corroboration showing that the metrics work as intended. In addition, EDA required an implementation toolkit that EDA staff could actually use, including operational recommendations. In other words, the end product needed to translate research into an applied package: clear measures, guidance on how to collect and interpret data, and recommendations on how EDA could integrate the metrics into routine assessment, evaluation, and reporting.
In terms of funding structure and basic logistics, the award instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement from the federal agency during the project compared with a standard grant. The opportunity fell under CFDA 11.312 (Research and Evaluation Program) and included a cost-sharing or matching requirement. The award ceiling was $300,000 and the award floor was listed as $0. The posting date and creation date were July 8, 2015, with an original and current closing date of August 21, 2015, and an archive date of September 20, 2015.
Eligibility was broad and consistent with EDA's authorizing framework under PWEDA and related regulations. Eligible applicants included state governments, county and city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments, institutions of higher education (public, state-controlled, and private), and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities). EDA also noted eligibility for district organizations, consortia (including consortia of tribal governments or political subdivisions), and nonprofits or associations acting in cooperation with local government officials involved in economic or infrastructure development. For access issues or questions about the announcement, EDA directed applicants to its Research and National Technical Assistance staff via rnta@eda.gov.
Overall, this opportunity was aimed at improving accountability and learning in economic development by creating field-tested, statistically supported metrics that EDA could confidently use to evaluate and explain the impacts of its investments, particularly where results are complex, indirect, or driven by innovation and capacity-building rather than physical construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Innovative Metrics for Economic Development - Proof of Concept Study."
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), offered the opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2015-2004523.
What type of award is this?
The award instrument is a discretionary cooperative agreement, which generally means EDA would have substantial involvement during the project compared with a standard grant.
What is the main purpose of the project being funded?
The core purpose is to fund a proof-of-concept effort to improve how EDA measures and communicates the real-world effects of its economic development investments across U.S. regions.
Is this funding focused on construction or infrastructure projects?
No. The emphasis is not on building or construction outcomes. The opportunity focuses on improving measurement of broader impacts of EDA-funded activities, especially innovation and other non-construction initiatives.
What kinds of results is EDA trying to measure better?
EDA is seeking stronger, more credible performance measures that connect grant outputs and near-term outcomes (such as capacity building or institutional improvements) to longer-term realized outcomes like economic growth, regional competitiveness, and sustainability.
What does EDA mean by "metrics" and "indicators" in this announcement?
Applicants were expected to identify and define robust indicators, metrics, and methodologies EDA could use to assess what its grants accomplish, and to support those choices with statistical evidence that the measures relate meaningfully to real economic outcomes.
Does EDA want theoretical metrics, or metrics tested in the real world?
EDA indicated it was not looking for metrics in the abstract. Proposed models had to be tested on EDA grantees to show how the measures would perform under realistic program conditions.
Was an evaluation or impact analysis approach required?
Yes. The opportunity required an impact analysis design, meaning applicants needed to explain how they would evaluate whether observed outcomes could plausibly be attributed to EDA investments.
What kind of statistical work was expected in proposals?
Applicants needed to describe the statistical methodology that would be used to validate the metric model and corroborate that indicators are reliable, measurable, and predictive (or at least strongly associated) with intended economic development outcomes.
How important was alignment with EDA's logic model?
Alignment was a central requirement. Metrics and indicators needed to map to EDA's logic model, linking inputs and activities to outputs, intermediate outcomes, and eventual economic impacts.
Why did EDA highlight non-construction and innovation-supporting programs?
EDA showed particular interest in metrics that work well for non-construction and innovation-supporting efforts because these programs can produce complex benefits (like network effects, commercialization capacity, cluster development, and stronger regional institutions) that traditional infrastructure metrics do not capture well.
What types of intermediate outcomes were mentioned as examples?
Examples included strengthened regional collaboration, innovation capacity, and improved workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
What types of long-term outcomes were mentioned as goals to connect to?
The announcement emphasized connecting to realized outcomes such as economic growth, regional competitiveness, and sustainability.
What deliverables were expected from the recipient?
Deliverables were intended to be practical and usable by EDA and included reports that (1) establish the proposed metrics, (2) provide supporting analysis and evidence, and (3) include statistical corroboration showing the metrics work as intended.
Was an implementation toolkit required?
Yes. EDA required an implementation toolkit that staff could use, including operational recommendations, guidance on collecting and interpreting data, and recommendations for integrating metrics into routine assessment, evaluation, and reporting.
What funding program and CFDA number applied to this opportunity?
The opportunity fell under CFDA 11.312, the Research and Evaluation Program.
Was there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity included a cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $300,000.
What was the minimum award amount?
The award floor was listed as $0.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date (and creation date) was July 8, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The original and current closing date was August 21, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was September 20, 2015.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included state governments; county, city, or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; institutions of higher education (public, state-controlled, and private); and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities).
Were consortia or district organizations eligible?
Yes. EDA noted eligibility for district organizations and consortia, including consortia of tribal governments or political subdivisions.
Could nonprofits apply in cooperation with local governments?
Yes. EDA included nonprofits or associations acting in cooperation with local government officials involved in economic or infrastructure development.
Where could applicants direct access issues or questions about the announcement?
EDA directed applicants to its Research and National Technical Assistance staff via email at rnta@eda.gov.
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