Opportunities
Federal funding
Strong Cities, Strong Communities National Resource Network
Deadline: January 28, 2013
This $10 million grant, with one expected award administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will fund the development of the Strong Cities Strong Communities (SC2) National Resource Network. This Network will coordinate technical assistance programs and federal resources to help communities make more efficient investments.
Federal funding
Parnerships for Innovation: Building Innovation Capacity
Deadline: September 26, 2012
NSA is providing a funding opportunity to help develop the innovation capacity of individuals in both academia and the private business sector. This funding opportunity is also intended on increasing the strength of small business and help students with exposure to the innovation network.
The letter of intent for application is due September 26, while the full proposal deadline is December 12.
More information on the program can be found at the program site. Further information on the solicitation is at 12-578.
Cluster Initiatives
SBA Regional Innovation Clusters Program
Deadline: August 6, 2012
the SBA will invite applications for the Regional Innovation Cluster (RICs) Program. The awards will support public-private partnerships that bring together businesses, academic institutions, economic development organizations and other local actors to lay the foundations of sustainable growth and economic competitiveness through regional cluster development.
Cluster work may include providing: Business training; Counseling; Mentoring; Commercialization and technology transfer services; and, Other services that support the growth and development of small businesses.
University Commercialization
NSF Partnership for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research
Deadline: September 12, 2012
The Directorate for Engineering invites proposals for the Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR) program in two award types:
Technology Translation awards — to encourage the translation of technologically-promising research discoveries, made by prior and/or current NSF-funded investigators, to move toward a path of commercialization; and, Research Alliance awards — to promote synergistic collaborations between an existing NSF-funded research alliance and other entities to motivate the translation and transfer of research discoveries into innovative technologies and commercial products.
Approximately $14 million may be made available to support up to 35 AIR Technology Translation awards and 12 AIR Research Alliance awards. Eligibility is restricted to institutions of higher education, but they can partner with other organizations.
Local Economic Strategies
Strong Cities, Strong Communities
Deadline: July 23, 2012
The EDA's Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative works to improve the economic strategy of local governments to strengthen the economic vitality of cities and regions. It also serves to create new public-private partnerships.
Each of the six EDA regions will award $1 million to a city through a competitive process. See the EDA SC2 page and the FFO for more information.
Proof of Concept Centers
i6 Challenge, 2012
Deadline: July 20, 2012
The Economic Development Administration in concert with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the USPTO is leading the third annual i6 Challenge. This year's focus is the creation and expansion of Proof of Concept centers.
Six teams will win $1 million each to help the project development. See the FFO for more information.
Advanced Mfg Initiatives
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge
Deadline: July 11, 2012
Federal funding for regional partnerships to support advanced manufacturing activities. This $26 million allocation is expected to be divided among twelve projects, with an award ceiling of $2.3 million.
This opportunity allows regional partnerships to acquire funding to support advanced manufacturing activities. This will help capture public and private investment and lead to job creation.
The funding comes from the Economic Development Administration, NIST MEP, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Labor and Energy. The National Science Foundation is further contributing funding to existing SBIR grantees who are a part of these awarded projects.
Find the Innovation Resources in Your Area
STATS America
Know Your Region
Determining Regional Strengths
A Guidebook For Conducting Regional Innovation Assessments
EDA Regional Innovation Asset Toolkit
VDO Characteristics
Assessment Tool
Resource Guide For Technology-Based Economic Development
Is Your Organization Fit for Funding?
The Strategic Role of Accelerators in Regional Innovation
Financing Your Client Firms: The EB-5 Model
VDO Profile Tool
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