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.

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2012 University Center Economic Development Program Competition
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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 - Civic Engagement Grants

2012 San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund
Since the year 2008, EPA has been running the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund Program wherein they administer funds through competitive grant programs in order to encourage and promote the protection and restoration of the San Francisco Bay Watersheds.

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The Future Leaders Exchange Program: Host Family and School Placement and Monitoring
The ECA has constituted the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program wherein it seeks to promote mutual understanding between the citizens of the United States of America and the inhabitants of Eurasia by way of sending secondary school students from Eurasia to live in an American community for a full academic year.

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Youth Leadership Program: Algeria
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has established the Youth Leadership Program with Algeria which allows them to bring in young and adult Algerian students to the United States have them undergo a four-week exchange program.

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Enhancing Awareness of Transportation and Transportation Careers Program
The Federal Highway Administration has recently established the Enhancing Awareness of Transportation and Transportation Careers Program wherein it seeks to solicit applications from eligible entities who have the desire to utilize the advances in technology in the noble process of informing and teaching middle school, high school and community college students and faculties regarding transportation and transportation careers.

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