EDA’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship is seeking applications from eligible applicants to create and implement innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) work-based learning models (such as Registered Apprenticeships) that complement their respective region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge seeks to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future (which usually includes industries that leverage emerging technologies), and other innovation—driven businesses that have a high likelihood of accelerating economic competitiveness and job creation in their respective regions and in the United States.
Applicants must provide matching share equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost; i.e., applicants must match each dollar requested with at least one dollar of applicant match. See Section C.3. (p. 12) of this NOFO.
Deadline: June 12, 2023
Eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under this NOFO include:
• A State;
• An Indian tribe;
• A city or other political subdivision of a State;
• An entity whose application is supported by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a native organization and that is—
o a nonprofit organization, o an institution of higher education,
o a public-private partnership, o a science or research park,
o a Federal laboratory, or
o an economic development organization or similar entity; or
• A consortium of any of the aforementioned entities.
Funding in the total amount of $4,500,000 has been appropriated for grants authorized by section 30 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, consisting of $2,000,000 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 20223 and $2,500,000 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.4
The funding periods and funding amounts referenced in this NOFO are subject to the availability of funds at the time of award as well as to DOC and EDA priorities at the time of award. DOC and EDA will not be held responsible for application preparation costs. Publication of this announcement does not obligate DOC or EDA to make any specific grant award or to obligate all or any part of available funds.
The maximum federal share of each STEM Talent Challenge award is $500,000. This funding must be used for program implementation during the period of performance.
