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EDA makes $2 million available for STEM talent
The Economic Development Administration’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) released a funding opportunity this morning for a new STEM Talent Challenge. The opportunity provides $2 million in total to governmental and nonprofit entities working to implement STEM apprenticeship models in their regions. Applicants may request up to $300,000 for an 18-24-month project, and no more than $50,000 may go toward planning and development, which should generally be completed within the first six months of the project period. EDA is seeking projects that will expand work-based learning for adults, increase regional innovation capacity, and expand diversity in STEM. OIE will host an informational webinar on Sept. 9, and proposals are due Oct. 14.
The STEM Talent Challenge has been authorized for several years, but FY 2020 was the first time the program was funded. As discussed recently in the SSTI Weekly Digest, the House supports increasing funding to $4.5 million in FY 2021.