dept of commerce

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a new Federal Funding Announcement (FFA) to award its first national manufacturing innovation institute (NMII). Proposers may solicit a new NMII on any advanced manufacturing technology focus area not already addressed by another institute or competition. NIST intends to make one award in the form of a cooperative agreement that will provide up to $70 million in federal support over a five-year period – NIST requires the awardee match federal funds with equal funding from non-federal sources. The solicitation is open to U.S.-owned entities organized and operated in the United States including U.S. states, local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Applications must be submitted by July 22, 2016.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is conducting three regional forums on the proposed recompetition of MEP Centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico. The regional forums are intended to provide interested entities more information about the MEP program, the federal funding opportunity and answers to any questions regarding the funding announcement prior to its targeted release of January 2016. MEP centers up for recompetition under the 2016 announcement include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Vermont.

Update: You can view the full webinar and download the slide presentation at: http://ssti.org/regional-innovation-strategies-program-informational-webinar

This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced approximately $5 million in total funding for the 12 recipients of the 2014 Science and Research Park Development Grants, used for feasibility and planning for the construction or renovation of science or research parks. These grants, alongside i6 Challenge grants and Cluster Grants for Seed Capital Funds, comprise the EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (OIE) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program, an initiative designed to advance innovation and capacity-building activities in regions across the country. Additional information on the 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies program competition awardees can be found here.

As a component of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Skills for Business initiative, The Communities That Work Partnership is a new joint project aimed at accelerating industry-led workforce development and training efforts.  The partnership will competitively select six groups from across the country comprised of industry, government, education, workforce, and economic development leaders, each of which is pursuing employer-driven talent development strategies that promote economic growth and opportunity in their regions. Through a $500,000 grant from DOC’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Aspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI) will lead the initiative, providing technical assistance and leadership development resources.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the first 26 recipients of the 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies program grants. Managed by the Economic Development Administration, the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program is designed to advance innovation and capacity-building activities in regions across the country through three different types of grants:

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a second round of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) competition. IMCP, a cross-agency initiative, coordinates federal investments behind long-term economic development strategies in manufacturing communities. The first four designee communities were announced in May 2014. Applicants must demonstrate that their communities have a significant manufacturing presence and develop strategies to boost workforce and training, advanced research, infrastructure and site development, supply chain support, trade and international investment and capital access. Read the Federal Register notice…

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting proposals for a national partner to help coordinate the Accelerating Industry-led Regional Partnerships for Talent Development Program – a nationwide learning exchange that will focus on building critical regional partnerships to accelerate job-skills development across United States. In addition to administering the learning exchange, the awardee will be tasked to identify, promote, and expand upon successful best practices for industry-driven regional partnerships for talent development. The EDA anticipates one award of approximately $500,000 will be made. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. states, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals are due January 9, 2015. Read the funding announcement (EDA-REGIONAL-TALENT-2014)…

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the solicitation for the second round of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) will be released in the coming weeks. Through this federal funding competition, regions from across the country will compete to receive the designation of manufacturing communities and receive the financial and technical support of 11 federal agencies to achieve economic growth and job creation through manufacturing. Application due dates, eligibility requirements and funding totals will be announced in a future edition of the Federal Register.

November 3, 2014, is the last day to submit an application for FY14 grants through the Economic Development Administration’s Regional Innovation Strategies program.  The current solicitation includes three different types of awards: i6 Challenge grants, Science and Research Park Development Grants; and, Cluster Grants to support the development of seed capital funds. See previous Digest article for details or watch SSTI’s webinar with EDA officials about the program.  View the solicitation (EDA-HDQ-OIE-2014-2004219)…