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Funding from Defense, EDA available

June 11, 2020

In separate announcements this week, the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) revealed funding opportunities that can assist efforts to transform American innovations and support the growth of new companies.

Department of Defense

OEA released a notice of funding opportunity for the new Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program. Funded projects must come from regional consortia, include connections to Defense manufacturing institutes and work to strengthen technological or manufacturing supply chains, but are able to conduct a broad range of activities within these requirements.

Proposals from consortia are due July 12, and OEA will then designate Defense Manufacturing Communities and invite the best-scoring proposals to compete for awards up to $5 million. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a pre-proposal webinar on June 18. 

Economic Development Administration

Earlier this week, EDA officials participated in an SSTI webinar to discuss funding opportunities in the CARES Act. The bulk of the appropriated $1.5 billion has been allocated to EDA’s regions, and a portion of this funding was made available to existing awardees. However, the agency has funds competitively available through a modification to this year’s Economic Adjustment Assistance funding opportunity. Eligible projects can include providing technical assistance to companies, skills training, developing strategies for economic resilience, revolving loan funds, and more.

During the webinar, EDA also announced an intent to release a funding opportunity specific to innovation and entrepreneurship, although the terms of this competition are not yet available.

The SSTI webinar, available here, includes presentations on these opportunities and a lengthy Q&A session.

funding opportunity, dept of defense, eda