Available Grants

EDA Tech Hubs Phase 1 NOFO

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=348101

2. Closing Date: Aug 15, 2023

3. Award Amount: $500,000 (ceiling)

4. The Tech Hubs Program is an economic development initiative of 10 billion dollars over five years designed to drive regional technology and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. This program will invest directly in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers in approximately 10 years while catalyzing the creation of good jobs for American workers at all skill levels, both equitably and inclusively.

5. Applications for this NOFO must be made by consortia, and there are guidelines for required membership for each consortium, to include: Institutions of Higher Learning (including HBCU, Tribal, and Minority-Serving), economic development organizations, organizations that promote development of underserved communities, and organizations that promote local economic stability.

Census releases data on fastest growing cities, plus town, county population data

1. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/subcounty-metro-micro-estimates.html

2. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html

3. On May 18th, 2023 Census released reports on the fastest growing cities in the United States, along with comprehensive population data for cities, towns, and counties across the country.

4. Nine of the nation’s 15 fastest-growing cities were in the South. Of the nine fastest-growing cities in the South, six were in Texas. New estimates for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and for housing units at the national, state and county levels were also released.

5. This data on population trends is a key resource for growing and expanding small businesses, and well as for expanding community and faith constituencies.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347413

2. Closing Date: May 30, 2023

3. Award Amount: $1,000,000 (ceiling)

4. NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals from U.S.-based institutions of higher education and non-profits for ocean exploration-related projects under the following three themes: Ocean Exploration and Discovery, Technology, and Maritime Heritage. The closing date above is the due date for pre-proposals; fully developed proposals are due October 5, 2023.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347472

2. Closing Date: Jun 2, 2023

3. This NOFO is the first in a series that NTIA will issue and administer under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, and is open to both for-profit and non-profits. In response to this first NOFO, NTIA looks forward to receiving and reviewing a broad range of applications proposing creative ways to:

   1. Expand industry-accepted testing and evaluation to effectively facilitate and assess the interoperability, performance, and/or security of open and interoperable, standards-based 5G radio access networks.

   2. Develop new and/or materially improve existing testing methodologies to test, evaluate, and validate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of these networks, including their component parts, in order to address needs not currently met by industry-accepted tests and best practices.

National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) Standards Coordination Office Curricula Development Cooperative Agreement Program

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347336

2. Closing Date: Jun 4, 2023

3. Eligibility: Accredited institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the United States or its territories.

   1. An eligible IHE applicant may work individually or include proposed sub-awards or contracts with others, such as non-profits or commercial organizations, in a project application, effectively forming a team or consortium.

   2. NIST seeks to collaborate with and encourages applications from a wide range of organizations, including but not limited to community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and other accredited IHEs dedicated to serving students from underrepresented groups. Collaborations with industry that directly benefit undergraduate and/or graduate students are encouraged.

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Small Business Development Workshop for Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC): Focus on Your Future (Virtual Event)

1. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-development-workshop-tickets-633378761927

2. Dates: Jun 6, 2023

3. This workshop will provide information about MBDA’s free 8-week Business Development Program. Topics of discussion include: developing a business plan, pros and cons of starting a business, how to get started, types of legal entities, understanding capital, and more.

EDA 2023 STEM Talent Challenge

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347422

2. Closing Date: Jun 12, 2023

3. Award Amount: $500,000 (ceiling)

4. EDA’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship is seeking applications from eligible applicants to create and implement innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) work-based learning models (such as registered apprenticeships) that complement their respective region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge seeks to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation—driven businesses.

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program

1. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347658

2. Closing Date: Jun 20, 2023

3. Award Amount: $120,000 Ceiling

4. Eligibility: The Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking applications for the fiscal year 2023 NMFS West Coast Region (WCR) Education and Outreach Program with a specific focus on conserving and restoring marine resources on the West Coast. Projects funded under this program should implement and complement one or more actions identified in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan, or the Species in the Spotlight Action Plan which are within the WCR Endangered Species Conservation goal to recover protected marine species and their habitats.

NIST recruiting at Blacks In Government (BIG) Conference in Oxon Hill, MD

1. https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2023/08/blacks-government-national-training-institute

2. August 28–31, 2023

3. NIST recruiters will be attending the 2023 BIG National Training Institute (NTI) conference. BIG NTI is a nationwide response to train and develop individuals into subject matter experts so they will be able to perform the critical tasks of providing services to the general public. Areas of training include technology, health care, science, equal employment opportunity, acquisition, financial management, inclusive of programs and benefits, project management, retirement planning, homeland security, and many other service-based functions necessary for the general welfare of the citizenry. More information can be found on the BIG website at www.bignet.org.

Resource in the Spotlight – International Trade Association (ITA) How to Export Series

1. https://www.trade.gov/how-export-videos

2. Each year, U.S. companies export well over 2 trillion dollars of goods and services. If you want your business to get in on the action, it’s important to figure out the best way to expand to new markets. This comprehensive video collection will help your small business become better equipped to enter the exciting exporting world.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Commerce OFBNP Team