University Centers
Notice of Funding Opportunity
The FY23 University Center Notice of Funding Opportunity is now closed and EDA is no longer accepting applications.
All applications submitted by the application deadline of 7/10 11:59pm ET are undergoing technical review and those that pass will then go on to merit review. Please reference the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (PDF) announcement for more details on what to expect next.
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 46 states and territories.
The purpose of EDA’s University Center program (PDF) 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, resiliency, and inclusiveness. 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.
Applicant Resources Current Grantee Resources Current List of University Centers
EDA University Centers and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
UC Focus Areas
University Centers collaborate with other EDA partners, such as Economic Development Districts (EDDs), by providing expertise, applied research, and technical assistance to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that result in job creation, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region’s innovation clusters.
UCs focus on one or more of the following areas: regional commercialization efforts, advancing high-growth entrepreneurship, cultivating innovation, encouraging business expansion in a region’s innovation cluster, developing a highly skilled regional workforce, or increasing the resiliency of a region.
Contact Us
- UC Program Coordinator, HQ - Bernadette Grafton, bgrafton1@eda.gov
- EDA Regional Contacts
- States served by Atlanta Regional Office– Priscilla Kittles, PKittles@eda.gov
- States served by Austin Regional Office – Lauren Duhon, LDuhon@eda.gov
- States served by Chicago Regional Office – Zach Mcnealy, ZMcnealy@eda.gov
- States served by Denver Regional Office – Jane Reimer, JReimer@eda.gov
- States served by Philadelphia Regional Office – Kevin Quinn, KQuinn@eda.gov
- States served by Seattle Regional Office – Chris Cox, CCox@eda.gov