The application deadline for Phase 1 of the Tech Hubs Program is August 15 – just four weeks away! As part of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), EDA will designate at least 20 Tech Hubs and separately award grants to strengthen collaboration and accelerate strategy development for Tech Hubs.
If you are applying for this funding opportunity, EDA encourages you to start your application today. Below are three things to do now to ensure that your application process goes smoothly.
1. Register in EDGE Today!
EDA has a new grants management system called EDGE. The Lead Consortium Member (referred to as the Lead Applicant in EDGE) must have an account in EDGE to apply, and the Lead Consortium Member must invite other consortium members to register in EDGE. Learn more about how to register from our Quick Reference Guides and our FAQs. All application materials must be submitted by the Lead Applicant before the deadline. To create an account for the Lead Applicant, you will need the organization’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) and basic contact information. An active CAGE code in SAM.gov is required at the time of award in the fall, but applicants should apply for this now. (see NOFO section E.3). See section D.2.f in the NOFO for more information on obtaining a UEI for your organization. (See FAQs #65-#75 for more details about EDGE.)
Also, if you’re not yet registered in SAM.gov, start that process immediately!
2. Register for our Upcoming Webinar (and then attend!)
On July 25, 2023, EDA will host a webinar that will feature an overview of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including evaluation criteria. Register here for the webinar.
If you can’t attend the webinar, a recording will be posted at TechHubs.gov. If you missed our first webinar in May, click here to view the recording.
3. Review the Updated Tech Hubs FAQs
The Tech Hubs website has valuable resources to assist you during the application process, including our Frequently Asked Questions. The FAQs have been updated periodically during the application period to clarify questions we have received.
As you’re developing your applications, we’d like to leave you with two important themes to keep in mind: collaboration and equity.
- Build a Strong, Durable, Collaborative Consortium
We encourage regions to think big and make bold plans. To execute, Tech Hubs consortia members and others in their regions will have to work together in ways they might not have done so previously. Consortia need to demonstrate that they have the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to become globally competitive—within approximately 10 years—in their selected technologies and industries of the future. This funding opportunity requires that consortia bring together a wide array of stakeholders, including research and education institutions, the private sector, labor, economic development organizations and local government. (See NOFO section C.1 for all types of required and optional organizations.)
- Think About Equity in a Meaningful Way
Equity and diversity are evaluation criteria for this funding opportunity because more Americans need to participate in and benefit from the innovation economy to realize the Tech Hubs program’s vision to strengthen U.S. economic and national security. That includes those historically underrepresented in tech and innovation—people of color, people from rural communities, women, veterans, and more. Diversifying the pool of inventors, researchers, funders, founders, and workers will spread growth to all corners and pockets of a region while also increasing the equity, accessibility, and diversity of the innovation economy.
Successful applicants will pursue impactful diversity and inclusion strategies that accelerate innovation and growth, and that increase the equity, accessibility, and diversity of the innovation economy, including through accessible good jobs. Applicants are expected to describe how the consortium and other stakeholders will actively engage underserved communities in planning and implementation, and how benefits from the Tech Hub will be shared equitably.
If you have any questions, please email TechHubs@EDA.gov.
