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

Coastal Impact Assistance Program
The Fish and Wildlife Service has recently established the Coastal Impact Assistance Program wherein the agency will provide a ceiling budget amounting to $250 million to be utilized in conservation, protection, and preservation projects of coastal areas, including wetlands.

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Every Day Counts Innovation Initiatives - Request for Information
In keeping with this mission, the Federal Highway Administration has recently constituted the Every Day Counts Innovation Initiatives project wherein they intend to solicit information from all eligible sources regarding innovations and advances that will potentially transform the way people will do business.

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Centers for Material Life Cycle Safety Program
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has established the Centers for Material Life Cycle Safety Program wherein it intends to solicit applications for the development of interdisciplinary centers that have the capability of focusing on the creation of chemicals, compounds, mixtures of compounds, or products.

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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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