FY 2011 University Center Economic Development Program Competition

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EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship. A regional economic ecosystem is comprised of three main components: (1) A highly networked regional talent pool, with specialized expertise relevant to the region’s innovation clusters (with connections along the supply chain and across disciplines, so that researchers, academics, investors, suppliers, and entrepreneurs can efficiently share ideas and best practices); (2) A support system for researchers and scientists seeking to turn their discoveries into marketable goods and services, including business counseling, incubation programs, and proof-of-concept centers; and (3) Innovation infrastructure (which includes both tangible and non-tangible types of infrastructure) necessary to support innovation such as physical infrastructure, education, workforce development, and financial infrastructure. EDA recognizes that the nation’s universities—with their unparalleled access to researchers and academics in a variety of science and engineering disciplines, top-notch business schools, and world-class laboratories and research facilities—are uniquely poised to help advance regional economic ecosystems. Additionally, University Centers facilitate environments conducive to trade and global exports by providing comprehensive trade services for businesses to connect to international markets. These vital services assist businesses bringing products to international markets and improve the competitiveness of firms in the region. EDA seeks to fund University Centers that identify concrete activities that will be engaged in during the project period to support relevant components of a regional economic ecosystem. In addition, EDA seeks University Center program applications that will benefit distressed communities by linking these communities to larger, more vibrant regional economies. EDA encourages projects that present a clear plan for collaborating with and assisting other EDA investment partners, recipients, and stakeholders, including EDA-funded Economic Development Districts (EDDs); provide for regional, Statewide and multi-State programs; and creating synergies with EDA’s Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, and Partnership Planning programs. To obtain the maximum effect of available program funds, EDA will strive to fund University Centers that offer the widest possible geographic coverage in the States and territories covered by the Chicago and Philadelphia Regional Offices, and offer a full range of economic development research and technical assistance services to EDA regional partners (e.g., District Organizations, which are EDA-designated organizations that lead and provide services to EDDs as defined at 13 C.F.R. § 304.2). Services must be tailored appropriately to the region’s needs and each sponsoring institution’s (or consortium’s) strengths. EDA will strive to avoid funding duplicative services among selected University Centers. EDA will not fund University Centers that operate in isolation from other resources at the institution of higher education (or consortium) receiving the award. University Center programs not focused on economic development activities that foster higher-skill, higher-wage job creation and private sector investments are encouraged to seek financial support from other sources. Please see the full FFO announcement under "University Center FFO Announcement Link" below for complete information regarding the competition and to help ensure your application is timely received by EDA.

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