EDA opens 2019 Regional Innovation funding cycle
The Economic Development Administration is now accepting applications for the Regional Innovation Strategies program through April 4. Funding is available through the i6 Challenge, focused on transforming innovations into products and services, and Seed Fund Support, to help expand the availability of investment capital for startups. SSTI will again be hosting an informational webinar with EDA — see details and register below.
Regional Innovation Strategies program FY 2019 informational webinar
Tuesday, Feb. 12 @ 2 P.M. EST
Funding for the RIS program is competitive. In the 2018 cycle, 233 organizations requested $120 million, and EDA was able to make 40 awards totaling $21 million. Commerce’s FY 2019 budget is not yet complete, so the amount of funding that will be available this year is not yet known — although the chambers seem to have agreed on $25 million, should a final budget advance.
Organizations looking for additional resources to help with applications should consider the following:
- Review the notice of funding opportunity and check for updates;
- EDA’s program site includes lists of past awardees;
- Register for the informational webinar;
- Review past RIS webinars hosted by SSTI; and,
- SSTI members can connect with past awardees through the member listserv or by asking staff for introductions.