2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition

by: Michael Saunders

The Economic Development Administration, otherwise known as EDA, is a federal government agency operating within the United States Department of Commerce that is largely responsible for providing grants to economically distressed communities in an effort to help generate new job opportunities, assist in retaining existing jobs and stimulating industrial and commercial growth.

The grants of initiatives of the EDA are all geared towards the realization of its primary agency mission which is to "lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy."

In keeping with this mission, the Economic Development Administration has recently established the 2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition wherein they intend to solicit grant applications from higher education institutions stating their intent to establish and operate special University Centers that are focused on leveraging university assets in order to create regional economic ecosystems that will support high-growth entrepreneurship.

Higher education institutions or a consortia of institutions can take part in this program as long as they are willing to establish and operate a University Center, and in the process, form a collaboration with several other EDA partners in order to provide, develop, implement, and support regional strategies and approaches that would certainly pave the way to the creation of more jobs, the development of high-skilled regional talent pools, and the expansion of regional businesses.

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2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
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About The Author Michael Saunders is an editor of TopGovernmentGrants.com one the the most comprehensive Websites offering information on government grants and federal government programs. He also maintains Websites providing resources on environmental grants and grants for youth programs.

Additional Resources

category - Civic Engagement Grants

2012 San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund
Since the year 2008, EPA has been running the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund Program wherein they administer funds through competitive grant programs in order to encourage and promote the protection and restoration of the San Francisco Bay Watersheds.

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Migratory Bird Joint Ventures: Playa Lakes Joint Venture Base Operations
The Southwest Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is now seeking applications and proposals for the start of base operations, that is core support staff activities and functions, for the Playa Lakes Joint Venture partnership.

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Fostering International Research on Women in Public Service
The Bureau of African Affairs has recently established the Women in Public Service Project wherein it aims to build a generation of women leaders who will be willing to invest in their countries and communities, offer leadership services to the government, and work towards the potential of changing the way global solutions are developed.

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Scale-Up of Care and Support Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria
The USAID office in Nigeria has recently established a program called Scale-Up of Care and Support Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children wherein it intends to improve the health and well-being of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria by way of developing a sustainable, comprehensive and coordinated program that will potentially help these kids live a normal, and healthy life.

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