Regional Innovation Strategies making $35 million available

EDA expects to award $26 million for the venture challenge, $5 million for the capital challenge, and $4 million for the industry challenge in this funding cycle.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has announced the FY 2020 notice of funding availability for the Regional Innovation Strategies program. There are multiple changes to the program this year, including that EDA is now referring to the program as “Build to Scale.” A total of $35 million is available this year due to support from Congress with advocacy from SSTI’s Innovation Advocacy Council. The Trump Administration budget proposal for FY2020, and again for FY2021, proposed eliminating the program. Initial applications are due March 24.