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.

  (continued...)

2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
  Page 2

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 - Education Grants

A Guide to Student Grants and Scholarships
Colleges and universities can be expensive... sometimes getting accepted into the school of your choice can be the easy part of the educational journey of the new student. It isn't always easy to find ...

---

Pell Grants - Help with Financing Your Education
The Federal Pell Grant Program is overseen by the Department of Education and falls under the Federal Student Aid Information Center. In order to be eligible students must be enrolled in eligible schools that may be public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education.

---

Financing Your Education - Work Study Opportunities
The Federal Work-Study Program assists those undergraduate postsecondary students that cannot afford their educational expenses without financial assistance by providing them with part-time employment. Not only does the Federal Work-Study Program provide part-time employment, it also encourages these students to participate in community service activities.

---

Education Grants for High Achieving Students
Academic Competitiveness Grants assist those undergraduate postsecondary students that have completed a meticulous course of study in high school. Financial grant assistance is provided on need-basis to help these students meet their educational expenses.

---