The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications for its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) STEM Talent Challenge (STC), a $4.5 million grant competition to develop local STEM workforces.
The STC funding supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) training programs that can strengthen regional innovation economies, the EDA states in its April 11 announcement. The competition "will provide funding for programs that help build a robust STEM workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, among others," the news release states.
Competition applicants may seek up to $500,000 for a 24-month workforce program that complements their region's innovation economy. Applicants must show how their program would create or increase their regional STEM workforce volume "to support entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses," the release states.
"Entrepreneurs, especially technology entrepreneurs, flourish in healthy ecosystems," the EDA's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFP) states. "Technology-based economic development (TBED) grows these ecosystems in which entrepreneurs can start and scale technology-driven businesses, which in turn create high-skill and high-wage jobs, economic opportunity, and the industries of the future."
"EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) awards grants through the STEM Talent Challenge to foster science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent pipelines within these ecosystems, ultimately advancing the growth of connected, innovation-centric economies that enable innovation and accelerate technology commercialization to increase global competitiveness," the NOFP states.
Cities, counties, states, Tribal Nations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, federal partnerships, federal laboratories, science/research parks, higher education institutions, Economic Development Organizations (EDOs), and consortia of the aforementioned entities with government support are listed as being eligible to apply for the funding.
Submitted projects should identify opportunities in sectors with high growth potential, and to develop a strong and growing innovation economy by developing partnerships between leaders in the local tech industry, workforce development, education and the public sector.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 12, the release reports.
