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 - Education Grants

ENGAGE: Learning to Solve Problems, Solving Problems to Learn
The ENGAGE program is initially seeking to uncover proposals for innovative research studies that would lead young students to be more "engaged" in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM).

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All Children Reading Competition Program
The USAID and AusAID has constituted the development of the All Children Reading Competition Program, wherein they seek to discover life-changing innovations that will potentially improve the reading skills and low literacy levels among primary grade children.

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USAID University Engagement through Higher Education Institution Program
The United States Agency for International Development has recently constituted the USAID University Engagement through Higher Education Institution Program wherein it seeks to hone the knowledge, research skills, and creativity of higher education campuses.

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Are You Eligible To Receive A Federal Student Aid?
The Department of Education offers several types of educational financial assistance such as grants, federal loans, and work-study programs. It is very much essential for student to determine which type of assistance will best suit his/her financial needs.

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