The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), launched the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs competition. This program will create Tech Hubs in regions across the country by bringing together industry, higher education institutions, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners to supercharge ecosystems of innovation for technologies that are essential to our economic and national security. The program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act and is a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, stimulating private sector investment, creating good-paying jobs, revitalizing American manufacturing, and ensuring no community is left behind by America’s economic progress.
This first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launched will open applications for planning grants and Tech Hubs Designations. It details the application process and outlines how the Commerce Department will evaluate those applications through a three-month window. Successful proposals will demonstrate a region’s capabilities in, and focus on, its primary technological strength and the potential for Tech Hubs investments to enable a region’s primary innovative industry to become a global leader in that critical technology area within a decade. Regions are not bound by specific borders, but rather focus on identifying sections of the country with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to become globally competitive in critical technologies and industries. Applicants will select a technology industry to focus on that fits under the umbrella of a list of 10 Key Focus Areas identified within the Tech Hubs statute.
Later this year, the Department of Commerce will launch a second NOFO for applicants designated as a Tech Hub to apply for implementation funding.
Learn more about Tech Hubs and the first funding opportunity at TechHubs.gov.
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