University Centers

Funding is not available to continue support for this program. Information provided on this, and related program pages, is for historical reference and applies to competitions in or before FY 2023. If you have any questions, please reach out to your regional EDA point of contact or the UC coordinator – see below.

About the UC Program

EDA recognizes that institutions of higher education are critical players in the development of vibrant economic ecosystems. Universities are sources of significant economic development assets that can support regional economic growth. Currently, there are 70 EDA University Centers covering 47 states and territories.

The purpose of EDA’s University Center program is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of these institutions to establish and operate University Centers (UCs) focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship. As early as FY 1980, EDA-funded UCs responded to the needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and processors for technology transfer and commercialization assistance. More recently, some UCs have been providing resources and guidance on how to create a digitally inclusive economy while others are working with stakeholders in their regions to address economic impacts from the closure of major plants.

Grantee Resources FY21-23 University Centers

EDA University Centers and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Contact Us

UC Program Coordinator, HQ - Bernadette Grafton ([email protected])
EDA Regional Contacts
- For the Atlanta Regional Office, please reach out to the appropriate state point of contact:
  - Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee: Lucas Blankenship ([email protected])
  - Florida: Greg Vaday ([email protected])
  - Georgia, Kentucky: Jonathan Corso ([email protected])
  - North Carolina, South Carolina: Hillary Sherman ([email protected])
- For all other EDA Regional Offices:
  - States served by Austin Regional Office – Apu Naik ([email protected])
  - States served by Chicago Regional Office – Lesley Craig ([email protected])
  - States served by Denver Regional Office – Jane Reimer ([email protected])
  - States served by Philadelphia Regional Office – Janelle Schindler ([email protected])
  - States served by Seattle Regional Office – Chris Cox ([email protected])