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

Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program
The Federal Highway Administration has recently established the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program wherein it aims to improve the readiness of students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by way of the application of curriculum development and several other activities that are related to transportation education.

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Democracy, Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Freedom of Expression and the Press for Europe and Eurasia
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs has recently established a funding opportunity entitled Democracy, Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Freedom of Expression/Press for Europe/Eurasia, wherein they are seeking applications and proposals that aim to develop projects promoting democracy, human rights, rule of law, and freedom of expression/press in Europe and Eurasia.

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Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program
In line with this mission, 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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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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