2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
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With that, the EDA has stipulated that the resources included in the program can be within the likes of technology commercialization, feasibility studies, market research, economic impact analyses, training, and several other technical assistance initiatives that could assist communities in the process of fostering vibrant economic ecosystems.

The University Center Economic Development Program Competition has been running since the year 2004, but in 2012, the EDA will specifically administer the program competition in its Atlanta and Seattle Regional Offices.

In addition, the EDA has also stated that they will give priority to grant application which intend to create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship through three primary components:

a) A vastly networked regional talent pool, with specialized expertise relevant to the region’s innovation clusters;

b) A support system that is intended for researchers and scientists who are seeking to turn their discoveries into marketable goods and services;

c) Diverse innovation infrastructure that are very much necessary in the process of supporting innovation such as education, workforce development, and financial infrastructure.

In order to fuel the drive of this program, the EDA is set to administer funds in the amount of $8.4 million.

The institutions and organizations who are eligible to submit an application and receive funding under this program are accredited institutions of higher education, including community colleges, or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher education.

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

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program
The Office of Justice Programs has recently established the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program (JMHCP), wherein it seeks to increase public safety by encouraging collaboration between criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems.

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Department of Agriculture: Value Added Producer Grants
The Value-Added Producer Grants program is geared towards helping the Independent Producers of Agricultural Commodities, Agriculture Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures in developing techniques that would create marketing opportunities and establish business plans involving viable marketing opportunities that involve the production of bio-based products from agricultural commodities.

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Government Grants Within the United States Food and Nutrition Sector
The issue of food and nutrition is considered as one of the most essential components of a successful community as it makes up most of a person's daily life. The United States understands this, which is why it has created several governmental agencies that are tasked solely to support and consolidate food and nutrition-related concerns.

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The Future Leaders Exchange Program: Host Family and School Placement and Monitoring
The ECA has constituted the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program wherein it seeks to promote mutual understanding between the citizens of the United States of America and the inhabitants of Eurasia by way of sending secondary school students from Eurasia to live in an American community for a full academic year.

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