Commerce-EDA FY25 Tech Hubs NOFO 9.19.25 FINAL.pdf

Key Notice of Funding of Funding (NOFO) Information

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

FY 2025 Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

(FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO) Grants.gov Opportunity Number

EDA-TECHHUBS-2025

Assistance Listing Number (ALN)

11.039, Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program

Effective Date September 19, 2025 Key Dates

This is a two-stage competition.

The deadline to submit a Preliminary Application under Stage I is 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 7, 2025.

The deadline to submit a Comprehensive Application under Stage II is 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 18, 2026.

Applications received after either of these deadlines will not be reviewed or considered.

Funding Instrument Grant or cooperative agreement. In most cases, assistance will be in the form of a grant.

Funding Details Approximately $220,000,000

Through this NOFO, EDA will make awards to already designated Tech Hubs for implementation of selected component projects. EDA will select anywhere from zero to approximately five component projects per Tech Hub. See section B of this NOFO for additional details on funding.

Through this NOFO, EDA will not be making any new Tech Hub designations.

Program Overview

The Tech Hubs Program seeks to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security through place-based investments in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future within approximately 10 years, and for those industries, companies, and the jobs they create to start, grow, and remain in the United States.

Cost Sharing and Matching

FY 25 Tech Hubs Implementation Awards will fund, at maximum, 90% of the eligible costs under this NOFO. See section C.4 of this NOFO for additional details on match requirements.

Eligible Projects

EDA can provide funding to support a wide range of non-construction and construction activities, broadly organized into workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, technology development and maturation, infrastructure (construction), and governance. See section C.2 of this NOFO for additional details on eligible projects.

Eligible Applicants

Only 19 applicants are eligible to apply to this FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO. These are Tech Hub consortia which were: designated in October 2023 as Tech Hubs, have received Consortium Accelerator Awards (CAAs), and have not received any other EDA Tech Hubs Implementation funds. See section C.1 of this NOFO for additional details on eligible applicants.

Pursuant to section 28(c) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. § 3722a(c)), only consortia are eligible to apply to the Tech Hubs Program. An eligible consortium must include one or more of each of the following: (i) institutions of higher education; (ii) State, territorial, local, or Tribal governments or other political subdivisions of a State, or a consortium thereof; (iii) industry groups or firms in relevant technology, innovation or manufacturing sectors; (iv) economic development organizations or similar entities focused primarily on improving science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, or access to capital; and (v) labor organizations or workforce training organizations. See section A.3.I of this NOFO for additional requirements related to consortia.

Under this NOFO, EDA is not authorized to provide grants or cooperative agreements to individuals. Requests from individuals will not be considered for funding.

Review and Selection Process

This is a two-stage competition. After Stage I, Tech Hubs and their proposed component project portfolios will undergo a technical and merit review based on the merit criteria outlined in section E.1. EDA will notify applicants of the component projects it determines will advance to Stage II. A consortium may have all, some, or none of its proposed projects advance to Stage II.

After Stage II, EDA will convene an investment review committee (IRC) to evaluate the merits of each application based on the extent to which the application meets program specific award and application requirements set forth in section E.1.

Thereafter, the Selecting Official will make selections in accordance with the selection criteria set forth in section E.3.I.

Award Project Period

EDA anticipates awards will typically have a period of performance of 24 to 60 months.

See section C.5 of this NOFO for additional details on project periods of performance.

How to Apply

Applications will only be accepted electronically through the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) at https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/. See section D.1.I of this NOFO for limited exceptions.

Informational Webinar

EDA plans to conduct an informational webinar for this NOFO. Regional Innovation Officers (RIOs) leading the 19 eligible Tech Hubs will be provided with invitations to this webinar.

Award Notification

Subject to the availability of funding, EDA will notify successful applicants of their awards electronically. See section F.1 of this NOFO for more information on award notification.

Agency Contacts

For questions concerning this NOFO, including requests for technical assistance with application requirements, please contact the Tech Hubs inbox at EDA via this email address:

TechHubs@eda.gov.

https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/ mailto:TechHubs@eda.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Program Information

2. Statutory Authorities

3. Background

4. Competition Structure

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. What Funding is Available?

2. What Funding Caps Exist for Different Types of Eligible Component Projects?

3. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards?

C. ELIGIBILITY AND OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1. What entities are eligible to apply for Implementation Awards under this NOFO?

2. What Activities are Eligible for Implementation Awards?

3. What Activities are Ineligible for Implementation Awards?

4. What is the Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?

5. How Long Should a Project’s Period of Performance Be?

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Obtaining an Application and Electronic Submission through EDGE

2. Summary of Required Files per Competition Stage

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Verification of Submission

5. Other Submission Requirements

6. EDGE Systems Issues

E. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESSES

1. Merit Criteria

2. Review Processes

3. Selection Official’s Decision

4. Review of Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notice

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

H. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Right to Use Information

2. Disclosure of Information

3. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure

4. Subrecipients vs. Contractors

5. Notice of Government-Wide Procurement Restriction

6. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions

7. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Act for Corporations and for Awards over $5 Million 47

8. Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials and Compliance with Davis-Bacon

9. Environmental and Historic Preservation Requirements

10. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy

11. NOFO Changes Communicated on Grants.gov

12. Audit Requirements

13. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

14. Requirements for Recipients with More than $10 Million in Federal-wide Funding

15. Fraud Awareness Training

16. Office of Inspector General Rights and Responsibilities

17. Termination

I. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Component Project Examples

APPENDIX B: Taxpayer Bargain- Contribution to the U.S. Taxpayer Guidance

APPENDIX C: Investment Commitment Examples

APPENDIX D: Policy Commitment Examples

APPENDIX E: Talent and Hiring Commitment Examples

APPENDIX F: SF-424A Guidance

APPENDIX G: Stage II Component Project Scope of Work Template for Non-Construction Projects

APPENDIX H: Stage II Component Project Scope of Work Template for Construction Projects

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Program Information

The Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hubs) Program will serve as a key investment in this Administration’s America First agenda—strengthening our nation’s economic competitiveness and national security by ensuring that the industries of tomorrow are built, grown, and led right here in the United States.

Through strategic, local investments, the Tech Hubs Program unleashes the potential of American regions with the assets, talent, and capacity to become global leaders in critical technologies within the next decade. These investments will fuel U.S. manufacturing, accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge research, enhance the nation’s warfighting capabilities, and ensure that high-quality, high-paying jobs return to and remain on American soil.

In line with President Trump’s commitment to usher in a Golden Age of American Innovation, the Tech Hubs Program will accelerate lasting economic growth in key technology sectors—positioning the United States to outcompete foreign adversaries, secure domestic supply chains, and lead the world in critical and emerging technologies for generations to come.

The Tech Hubs Program is not intended to fund basic and fundamental research. Instead, the Tech Hubs Program is intended to advance American capacities to commercialize, deploy, manufacture, and deliver future-focused technologies at scale. Further, this competition is designed to deviate from the status quo of federal grant competitions by requiring applicants to demonstrate that any funded project is a bargain for the American taxpayer.

All projects funded under the Tech Hubs Program should increase the speed and effectiveness with which industry and other partner organizations transition technologies upward from Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) six through nine.1 The focus of these implementation projects should be on five key areas: workforce development, business and entrepreneurship development, technology maturation, infrastructure (construction), and governance (see section C.2 of this NOFO for more details on eligible project activities).2

The FY 25 Tech Hubs competition will be administered in two stages:

I. In Stage I, eligible Tech Hub consortia will have the opportunity to submit a Preliminary Application (see section A.4.I of this NOFO for more details on content requirements). EDA will evaluate submitted materials based on the merit criteria outlined in section E.1 and will notify applicants of the component projects it determines have the greatest potential and may advance to Stage II. A consortium may have all, some, or none of its proposed projects advance to Stage II.

II. In Stage II, invited consortia will submit Comprehensive Application Packages for each of the projects selected in Stage I by EDA to proceed and will present their overall Tech Hub vision through a formal pitch.

The Comprehensive Application Packages will be evaluated on a project-by-project basis. See section E.2.III of this NOFO for more details on the evaluation process for this stage of the competition.

1 Different objectives and technology domains require different TRL definitions, but most TRL scales have nine levels. See, e.g., U.S. Gov’t Accountability Off., Technology Readiness Assessment Guide, GAO-20-48G, App. IV at 115-21 (Jan. 2020), available at https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-20-48g.pdf. Because this program seeks to advance technologies across a broad array of domains, EDA is not selecting specific TRL definitions but is adopting the common nine-level structure.

2 15 U.S.C. § 3722a(f)(2).

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-20-48g.pdf

Implementation Awards selected as a result of this competition will drive a broad spectrum of non-construction and construction activities that support the acceleration of the Tech Hub’s technology commercialization efforts.

By enabling regions to demonstrate, deploy, and commercialize groundbreaking technology products and services, Implementation Awards will play a pivotal role in transforming local economies into dynamic, globally competitive Tech Hubs. Each region’s unique strengths and needs will guide the selection of activities, ensuring that investments are tailored to catalyze lasting economic growth in the region’s chosen technology sectors while supporting the country’s national security and economic competitiveness goals.

Applicants will need to prove that their strategies are closely tied to the mission of the Tech Hubs Program, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently and effectively at the lowest cost and greatest benefit to taxpayers. Tech Hubs must galvanize private sector participation and leadership with the goal of increasing their investment. This NOFO also places considerable emphasis on private sector buy-in and investment as a critical indicator of Tech Hub and component project viability. This is about more than just funding; it is about making smart, strategic, and targeted investments that will accelerate the U.S.’s economic growth and technological dominance on the world stage.

2. Statutory Authorities

The statutory authority for this program is section 28 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, amended (15 U.S.C. § 3722a).

3. Background

This FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO builds on past Tech Hubs competitions. In May 2023, EDA released the first Tech Hubs Phase 1 NOFO, receiving 198 applications from consortia across the country seeking a Tech Hubs designation. The Tech Hubs designation is a strong signal that a region’s assets, resources, and capabilities position it for transformative investment to become globally competitive in a core technology within a decade.

In October 2023, EDA designated 31 Tech Hubs and released the Phase 2 NOFO for Implementation funding, open only to designated Tech Hubs.

In February 2024, all 31 designated Tech Hubs3 submitted their Phase 2 applications requesting $2 billion across 183 proposed projects, supported by matching funds from industry, state and local government, and other partners. In July 2024, EDA awarded $504 million to 52 projects across 12 designated Tech Hubs, while the remaining 19 Tech Hubs received Consortium Accelerator Awards (CAAs) of $500,000 each to strengthen their consortia and pursue future investments.

I. What constitutes a Tech Hub consortium?

Tech Hubs are defined as contiguous regions with a concentration of assets, capital, research and development (R&D), a labor market, and infrastructure strongly relevant to the Tech Hub’s selected core technology area, the Tech Hub’s identified market opportunity, and the Tech Hub’s potential to become globally competitive in that area within a decade, led by coordinated consortia of public, private, and academic partners. As defined in the statute, each consortium must include at least one of each of the following entity types:

(1) Institutions of higher education, which may include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions;

3 “The Hub Designees.” https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023. Note that Tech Hubs without implementation funding (indicated on this list without a star) are eligible to compete for this competition.

https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023

(2) State, territorial, local, or Tribal governments or other political subdivisions of a State, including State and local agencies, or a consortium thereof;

(3) Industry groups or firms in relevant technology, innovation, or manufacturing sectors;

(4) Economic development organizations or similar entities that are focused primarily on improving science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, or access to capital; and

(5) Labor organizations or workforce training organizations, which may include State and local workforce development boards.4

Consortium membership may have changed since the Tech Hubs’ initial designation and/or the last application for implementation funding; however, all consortia must continue to include the five required member types.

While Tech Hubs may include members and partnerships outside their geography, a substantial majority of the benefits (e.g., job creation and retention, worker placements, capital formation and deployment, firm creation and growth) expected to result from EDA funding should accrue within each Tech Hub’s region. Applicants should retain their designated Tech Hub geography for their FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO application. If an applicant is interested in updating their designated Tech Hub geography, the applicant must proactively contact EDA for further consultation and approval. Altering the existing geography for the sake of expanding it would not necessarily make the application more competitive.

Each consortium has already identified one organization to serve as the Lead Consortium Member. The Lead Consortium Member has committed to serve as EDA’s main point of contact for the Tech Hub and the principal coordinator for the consortium. This Lead Consortium Member also employs or oversees the Regional Innovation Officer (RIO), who leads the Tech Hub’s overall innovation agenda / strategy and is accountable for clear and effective governance of the consortium. EDA expects the RIOs to spend the majority of their working time coordinating and leading the Tech Hubs.

EDA has no formal requirements regarding Tech Hubs’ consortium structure. Consortia may choose to create a new legal entity to serve as Lead Consortium Member, use MOUs, or employ an informal structure. However, EDA does expect that consortium members are actively collaborating and will continue to align on their Tech Hubs strategy as coordinated by the Lead Consortium Member and RIO.

As part of this FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO, EDA is asking consortia to propose a portfolio of approximately 2 - 5 component projects. If awarded, these component projects would each be led by a Component Project Lead Organization, which will be direct grantees of EDA, receiving and signing their own award(s) for their respective component project(s). Awarded Component Project Lead Organizations will be responsible for managing their project’s administration and finances, regular reporting on project progress, and coordinating with consortium leadership, other Component Project Lead Organizations, and their own project’s subrecipients, if any. For

4 By statute, consortia may also include one or more of: (1) Economic development entities with relevant expertise, including a district organization; (2) Organizations that contribute to increasing the participation of underserved populations in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship; (3) Venture development organizations; (4) Organizations that promote local economic stability, high-wage domestic jobs, and broad-based economic opportunities, such as employee ownership membership associations and State or local employee ownerships and cooperative development centers, financial institutions and investment funds, including community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions; (5) Elementary schools and secondary schools, including area career and technical education schools; (6) National Laboratories; (7) Federal laboratories; (8) Manufacturing extension centers; (9) Manufacturing USA Institutes; (10) Transportation planning organizations; (11) A cooperative extension services; (12) Organizations that represent the perspectives of underserved communities in economic development initiatives; and (13) Institutions receiving an award under the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines Program. 15 U.S.C. § 3722a(c)(2).

construction projects, the owner of the property being built on or improved must be a direct grantee of EDA and may do so as a Component Project Lead Organization or as a Component Project Co-Recipient. Consortium members can be the Component Project Lead for multiple component projects, but those organizations must demonstrate to EDA their capacity to manage each of those component projects individually as well as the multiple component projects jointly.

II. What technologies are considered key focus areas of the Tech Hubs Program?

In applying for a Tech Hubs designation, consortia were required to clearly identify a selected core technology area within or at the intersection of one or more of the key technology focus areas (KTFAs) listed below:

(1) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances;

(2) High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software;

(3) Quantum information science and technology;

(4) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing;

(5) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation;

(6) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology;

(7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology;

(8) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics;

(9) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of electric generation (consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 1874); and

(10) Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.

This list is drawn from 42 U.S.C. § 19107, as directed by the Tech Hubs statute.5 See 15 U.S.C. § 3722a(h)(1), (4)-(7). Tech Hubs should retain the core technology area selected as part of designation. Applicants of the FY 25 Tech Hubs competition may refine or elaborate on their approach to their selected core technology area via their application materials. If an applicant is interested in updating their designated Tech Hub core technology area, the applicant must proactively contact EDA for further consultation and approval.

4. Competition Structure

This competition is designed to fund several Tech Hubs and their selected component projects via Implementation Awards. Accordingly, applicants should propose a portfolio of tightly aligned component projects that include all or a subset of the broad categories of eligible activities (workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, technology development and maturation, related infrastructure (construction) activities, and governance projects).6 Applicants may submit similar component projects as were submitted under the previous Tech Hubs competition, modified to reflect the new requirements of this NOFO, or applicants may submit entirely new projects.

These component projects will either be non-construction or construction in nature. Generally, when there is proposed disturbance to existing physical conditions, EDA will consider that effort to be a construction project.7

5 The National Science Foundation is required to review and update this list annually. For the purposes this FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO, EDA is relying on the initial list enacted by Congress at 42 U.S.C. § 19107(c).

6 15 U.S.C. § 3722a(f)(2).

7 Applicants may want to propose an “equipment only” project. These projects may be classified as construction or non-construction depending on the amount and nature of installation work required. Applicants should consult with EDA to confirm what application documentation will be required for submission.

Depending on whether the proposed component projects are non-construction or construction, EDA will require different application materials.8 See section D.2 of this NOFO for more information on application requirements.

EDA will assess component projects on both an individual basis and as a proposed portfolio to address the Tech Hub’s current gaps related to technology development, market, regulations, access to capital, workforce, and other factors hindering commercialization and scale up. Therefore, component projects should be coordinated to create impact greater than the sum of their parts.

The FY 25 Tech Hubs NOFO will be administered in two stages to reduce burden on applicants and to more efficiently evaluate and select component projects to fund via Implementation Awards. The two-stage competition will be conducted as follows.

In Stage I, eligible consortia will have the opportunity to submit a Preliminary Application Package for EDA’s review. The following items are required for the Preliminary Application Package, as explained in more detail below in section A.4.I:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (1 per Tech Hub)

• Overarching Hub Narrative (1 per Tech Hub, 12 page limit)

• Match Letters (as needed)

• Commitment Letters (5 letter limit, 3 page limit per letter)

• Component Project Narratives (1 per component project, 8 page limit per narrative)

• Component Project Budget Narratives (1 per component project)

EDA will evaluate submitted materials based on the merit criteria outlined in section E.1. EDA will notify applicants of the component projects it determines have the greatest potential and thus can advance to Stage II.

A consortium may have all, some, or none of its proposed projects advance to Stage II.

In Stage II, invited consortia will submit comprehensive application packages for the selected projects and will be asked to present their overall Tech Hub vision and potential through a formal, recorded pitch. Stage II materials include, as explained in more detail below in section A.4.II:

• Comprehensive Application Package (1 per component project) o See package details in section A.4.II.a

• Pitch Deck (1 per Tech Hub)

• Recorded Presentation of the Pitch (1 per Tech Hub)

EDA will provide more detail on the pitch deck and the recorded presentation of the pitch, along with how applicants should submit these two files when applicants are notified of projects that will advance to Stage II.

EDA will then review these materials as part of the evaluation and selection process discussed below in section E.2.III.

I. Stage I: Preliminary Application Package

Stage I provides eligible applicants an opportunity to update their original Tech Hubs application, recognizing that changes to the consortium, technology, market, and more may have occurred since then. Applicants will propose component projects that are designed to advance the Tech Hub’s updated strategy.

8 Note that non-construction projects that depend on separate construction activities may require additional EDA review, even if the construction is funded outside of EDA.

(a) SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

The SF-424 is a standard form used across government funding programs, accessed through EDA’s EDGE. The SF-424 details high-level information on the applicant—in this case, the Lead Consortium Member. Because the SF-424 in Stage I is drafted at the overarching level, the Lead Consortium Member should fill out Box 18 “Estimated Funding” by summing up the federal requests across all component projects and entering that overarching request value in ‘Federal’ and then summing up all the match dollars associated with the Tech Hub’s application and entering that overarching match value in ‘Other.’ The other fields in Box 18 should be left blank.

(b) Overarching Hub Narrative

The Overarching Hub Narrative, not to exceed 12 pages, should demonstrate how EDA funding for component projects, alongside matching funds and other commitments, will advance the commercialization and scaled deployment of a technology of significance to economic and national security, so that the Tech Hub will become globally competitive in 10 years.

The narrative should include both near-term actions to be accomplished in the first year of the award and a longer-term strategy to maintain, grow, and evolve capacity to translate innovation into regional economic growth and to strengthen overall national security. The narrative should build on the consortium’s strategy from its FY 23 Phase 1 application for designation but also stand on its own for readers unfamiliar with that application.

The Lead Consortium Member should submit the Overarching Hub Narrative, but the document should represent the collective vision of the entire consortium.

Specifically, the Overarching Hub Narrative should contain the following elements:

(1) Executive Summary (no more than 300 words)

• The name of the Tech Hub;

• The Lead Consortium Member and proposed Component Project Lead Organizations;

• The Tech Hub’s geography; and

• The selected core technology area, its current state, and how the Tech Hub’s proposed component projects will advance it, making the Tech Hub globally competitive in 10 years and delivering benefits for the American taxpayer.

(2) Consortium Geography and Composition

• The Tech Hub’s geography; and

• The core consortium members, including but not limited to the five statutorily required entities, and a short description of the role these members play in the consortium.

(3) Technology Overview and Tech-Related Assets

• The technology the Tech Hub aims to commercialize and scale, including its current state technology readiness level (TRL) and its key supply chain inputs (written in plain language);

• How the problem your technology addresses is currently being solved in the market, why the Tech Hub’s solution offers a superior approach, and why now is the right time for its adoption;

• The technology’s current and potential impact on the country’s national security and economic competitiveness;

• The technology assets in the Tech Hub region relevant to the Tech Hub’s focus;

• Other public and private sector investments related to the Tech Hub’s goals; and

• A table listing up to five examples of specific end products – along with the TRLs (6-9) and uses of those products – that the Tech Hub intends to commercialize and scale, organized according to the template below.

End Product TRL Use

(4) Explanation of the Technology Commercialization Gap(s)

• The challenges/hurdles preventing or slowing technology commercialization and scaled deployment within the regional ecosystem and for the technology at large, including technological, supply chain, market, capital, regulatory, workforce, or other problems; and

• An argument for why any individual entity cannot address these gaps alone, and why federal funding is necessary to solve it, rather than private, state, or local funding.

(5) Current Status of the Tech Hub

• The consortium’s relevant activities and progress between the Tech Hub’s designation and the FY 25

Tech Hubs NOFO application submission, including EDA-funded and non-EDA-funded activities;

• Changes affecting the Tech Hub’s commercialization strategy and activities, including updates to consortium membership; technological advancements; manufacturing capacity; industry collaborations;

workforce and employment opportunities; private, state or local investments; and international, national, or regional policies; and

• A short description of any other federal funds that have been secured for, or have been requested to support, any portion of the projects for which an EDA investment is proposed, which specifically addresses how those funds would be spent differently from and complement the proposed component projects.

(6) Description of Proposed Component Projects

• For each of the 2 – 5 proposed component projects, provide the following information:

o Component project name;

o Which of the following categories the project falls under: workforce development, business and entrepreneurship development, technology maturation, infrastructure (construction), or governance;

o The Component Project Lead Organization and other key implementing entities;

o Description of the project;

o The timeline for implementation; and o How the component project contributes to the overall success of the Tech Hub, and how it complements and reinforces other component projects;

• Describe how the collection of component projects will complementarily lead to the Tech Hub overcoming the commercialization gap within a 10-year timeframe; and

• A table listing total proposed project cost and match, organized according to the template below:

Component Project Name Project Type Federal

Request Match Total Cost

TOTAL

(7) Governance Structure and Long-Term Viability Plan

• The makeup of the Tech Hub’s leadership team, including its Regional Innovation Officer (RIO);

• The entities that support the management, coordination, and promotion of the Tech Hub;

• A short description of the value proposition the Tech Hub represents to industry partners, and how the

Tech Hub plans to continue to engage industry;

• The framework, agreements, and mechanisms the consortium uses to govern its activities, coordinate its critical assets, measure progress, build evidence, continuously improve, and become self-sustainable without federal funds; and

• How the Tech Hub will evolve and sustain after federal funds have been spent.

(8) Outputs and Outcomes

• Each Tech Hub should establish a clearly structured evaluation framework demonstrating how component projects and Tech Hub activities will collectively lead to the Tech Hub being globally competitive within 10 years;

• EDA expects this information to be detailed in a table, similar to the one below:

Baseline

Tech Hub Outputs (by the end of the Period of Performance)

Intermediate Outcomes (within 5 years)

Long-term Outcomes (within 10 years)

Overarching Tech Hub Goal(s)

What is the current starting point or baseline?

What are the key deliverables resulting from Tech Hub activities?

What measurable results demonstrate early progress?

What measurable results clearly demonstrate the Tech Hub is achieving its goal(s)?

What broader goal(s) do the long-term outcomes contribute to?

How will the Tech Hub know if global competitiveness was achieved within 10 years?

[Current global market share is 1%, representing $100M in annual revenue]

[50 regional firms directly supported with funding; at least 3 partnerships established]

[Businesses secure $500M in new investment within 3 years; 5 products generate revenue]

[Achieve $1 billion annual regional revenue by 2030;

establish sustained annual revenue growth of 10-15% per year]

[Achieve at least 10% global market share in annual revenue by 2035]

• This framework must:

o Be anchored in the metrics and measures outlined in EDA’s Regional Economic Development

Data Collection Instrument,9 adapting them as necessary to reflect the Tech Hub’s specific industry, technology, and context;

o Document current status of the Tech Hub, including clear explanations of assumptions or calculations used to determine the baseline;

o Identify specific outputs—measurable deliverables directly resulting from Hub-supported activities that advance the Tech Hub’s goal(s), and outcomes—measurable changes gained by the outputs;

o Articulate clear linkages showing how early-stage outputs will lead to intermediate outcomes and ultimately demonstrate meaningful progress toward the Tech Hub’s global competitiveness goal;

o Clearly define global competitiveness in the context of the Tech Hub’s targeted technology or industry, specifying measurable indicators or benchmarks that signify success; and o Provide a clear rationale detailing how identified outcomes will measure whether and to what extent the region achieves global competitiveness within 10 years.

(9) Taxpayer Bargain Describe how the Tech Hub’s success will benefit Americans. Be sure to address each of the following:

• Contribution to the Region: How the Tech Hub’s success will increase the economic prosperity of the Tech Hub’s region, create and retain jobs in the private sector for citizens, and strengthen the region’s culture and capacity for innovation, which might include strengthened partnerships, updated infrastructure, or other interventions.

• Contribution to U.S. Economic Competitiveness: How the Tech Hub’s success will contribute to America’s leadership in the global economy; what the primary markets are for this technology, where the places trained workers can contribute to this technology area are located, who the primary global competitors are, and how this investment will create a competitive edge for America.

• Contribution to U.S. National Security: How the Tech Hub’s success will address national security priorities, which may include considerations for strengthening and reshoring/onshoring America’s domestic supply chain resiliency; bolstering warfighting capabilities; attracting, developing, and retaining world-class talent; and beyond.

• Contribution to the U.S. Taxpayer: If funded, how the Tech Hub, particularly its for-profit members, will share benefits and gains with America’s taxpayers, and how this investment is a bargain for the American taxpayer. As part of this section, the applicant should describe the monetary benefits that the Tech Hub will share with the taxpayer if these projects are funded and the Tech Hub is successful (see Appendix B for examples).

(10) Overview of Match Funding

• Applications require at least 10 percent match funding across the Tech Hub’s overall budget (when summing all component project budgets).

9 Link to EDA’s Regional Economic Development Data Collection Instrument:

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAOMBHistory?ombControlNumber=0610-0113.

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAOMBHistory?ombControlNumber=0610-0113

• Match Funding must support at least one component project but does not need to support all component projects.10 If an applicant is proposing a governance component project, EDA prefers that a large portion of match funding is allocated to that component project. This illustrates that non-federal funders are committed to the long-term viability of the Tech Hub.

• To summarize match sources, this section should be organized as a table according to the template below.

• See section A.4.I.c for requirements on match letters, which should corroborate the summary of match funding in this section.

Match Funding Source Cash or In-Kind?

Dollar Value of Match

Valuation Justification (If In-Kind)

Supports Which Component Project(s)

[Organization Name] [In-Kind] [$500,000]

[100% of Employee A at $150,000 annual salary; 100% of Employee B, C, and D at $100,000 annual salary; 25% of Employee E at $200,000 annual salary]

[Component Project 1]

TOTAL MATCH:

(11) Overview of Commitments:

Commitments are actions taken by regional leaders and stakeholders that will improve the Tech Hub’s commercialization and competitiveness potential by complementing and further leveraging potential EDA funding. Commitments should demonstrate concrete and specific actions that directly support the Tech Hub’s strategic goals. See section A.4.I.d for more details on commitments or Appendices C, D, and E for commitment examples.

In the 2024 Phase 2 funding competition, Tech Hubs were asked to compile commitments aligned with their application. Though many of those commitments were contingent on receiving federal funds, many Tech Hubs were still able to actualize a portion of those prior commitments. For the purposes of this NOFO, ‘prior commitments’ refers to those commitments that were submitted as part of the Tech Hubs Phase 2 application and have been executed, are currently in progress, or are being actively implemented.11

Prior Commitments

• To summarize the Tech Hub’s performance on those prior commitments, include a table according to the template below, reporting up to five of the Tech Hub’s prior commitments.

o The “Source” column should identify the sector that the committing organization belongs to:

Federal Government, State government, local government, nonprofit, private for-profit, philanthropy, or institution of higher education.

10 Note that if a component project with a substantial portion of the required match is not selected to advance to Stage II, the Tech Hub may need to reallocate match to those component projects that are advanced to Stage II or secure new match.

11 EDA understands that some Tech Hubs also submitted commitments as part of a prior EDA application. For the purposes of this Prior Commitments table, only include commitments that were submitted as part of the Tech Hub’s Phase 2 application and have been executed, are currently in progress, or are actively being implemented.

o The “Type” column should indicate what type of commitment is being provided: Investment (cash), Investment (in-kind), Policy, or Talent & Hiring.

o The “Realized Outputs & Outcomes” column should include a brief description of the benefit or impact of the prior commitment.

Committing Organization Source Type Value (if applicable) Description Realized Outputs and Outcomes

[XYZ Corp.] [Private Sector] [Investment (cash)] [$1,000,000]

[XYZ Corp. built a new $1,000,000 production line.]

[Via this investment, XYZ Corp. doubled its manufacturing capacity to produce Widget X. This new line now employs 20 employees.]

New Commitments

• This competition also asks Tech Hubs to detail up to five new commitments made to the Tech Hub since the last Tech Hubs application submission (post February 2024).

• This list of new commitments may include commitments made as part of a prior EDA application, or may include any other commitments made to the Tech Hub since the last Tech Hubs application submission.

• To summarize these new commitments, include a table according to the template below detailing only up to five of the Tech Hub’s most meaningful new commitments (as determined by the applicant team itself) from government, academia, philanthropy, nonprofit or private-sector entities.

o The “Source” column should identify the sector that the committing organization belongs to:

Federal Government, State government, local government, nonprofit, private for-profit, philanthropy, or institution of higher education.

o The “Type” column should indicate what type of commitment is being provided: Investment (cash), Investment (in-kind), Policy, or Talent & Hiring.

o The “Associated Component Project(s)” column should indicate if this commitment specifically supports one or two component projects. If the commitment is more general, write “Tech Hub- Wide.”

o The “Implementation Plan” column should include an overview of how the commitment will be implemented, including start and end dates and responsible parties.

o The “Anticipated Outputs & Outcomes” column should include a brief description of the benefit or intended impact of the commitment.

Committing Organization Source Type Value (if applicable)

Associated Component

Project(s) Description Implementati on Plan

Anticipated Outputs & Outcomes

[XYZ Corp.] [Private Sector]

[Investment (cash)] [$1,000,000] [Component

Project Name]

[XYZ Corp. has committed to building a new $1,000,000

[XYZ Corp. will start the project on Jan 1, 2026. The line will be operational

[Via this investment, XYZ Corp. will double its manufacturin g capacity to production line.] by Jan 1, 2027.] produce Widget X. This new line will employ 20 employees.]

(c) Match Letter(s)

Applicants must corroborate the required 10% match in their overall budget through signed match letters.

Match values indicated in these letters must align with the values described in the SF-424, Overarching Hub Narrative, and in the Component Project Budget Narratives.

If an applicant is proposing a governance component project, EDA prefers that a large portion of match funding be allocated to that component project. This illustrates that non-federal funders are committed to the long-term viability of the Tech Hub. If a component project with a substantial portion of the required match is not selected to move on to Stage II, the Tech Hub may need to reallocate match to those component projects that are advanced to Stage II or secure new match.

Match funding letters should be submitted as separate documents from commitment letters. For example, if XYZ State Legislature intends to provide the Tech Hub with matching funds and other commitments, the XYZ State Legislature should provide two separate letters: one for matching funds and one for commitments.

Each Match Letter must:

• Be submitted as a separate PDF file with a clear naming structure;

• Be from the entity making the contribution (e.g., from the applicant or from the third-party match source). Applicants cannot pledge match that is contributed/donated by a third-party entity unless a match letter is signed by an authorized representative of the matching fund source. Authorized representatives must have the authority to execute documents and to obligate and expend funds on behalf of their respective organizations;

• State whether the contribution is via cash, loans, bonds, or in-kind;

o If in-kind, provide a valuation12 and description for each element of in-kind contributions. Match letters that simply state an in-kind match amount without a description and itemized valuation will be deemed insufficient; and o In-kind match must consist of contributions directly related to the proposed project, such as personnel, equipment, or space. EDA will fairly evaluate all in-kind contributions, which must be eligible project costs and which must meet applicable federal cost principles and uniform administrative requirements.

• Demonstrate to the satisfaction of EDA, or state directly, that the match being provided (regardless of kind and source) is unencumbered, unrestricted, and committed at the time of award; and

12 For example, if an entity is proposing to provide in-kind match by supporting personnel expenses to the project, EDA would want to see a valuation of that contribution using the staff member’s annual salary multiplied by the percentage of time the staff member would be working on the project, multiplied by the number of years they would be working on the project.

• Confirm that the contribution is from a non-federal source or from a federal source that is explicitly authorized by statute to be used as matching share.

Additional documentation may be requested by EDA to substantiate the availability of the matching funds. For example, if bonds are contemplated as match, counsel opinion of the applicant’s bonding authority and eligibility of the bonds for use as match, along with full disclosure of the type of bonds and the schedule of the applicant’s intended bond issue, are required.

Note that a provider of matching share, including an entity providing cash or in-kind contributions, may not serve as a contractor under the same award, and may not be paid with award funds to provide goods or services to the award recipient.13

Note that, consistent with 2 CFR § 200.306, not all sources of federal funding may be allowed as match, and applicants must raise any questions about federal funding being used as match as early as possible with the POC listed in section G.

(d) Commitment Letters

Commitments are actions taken by regional leaders and stakeholders that will improve the Tech Hub’s commercialization and competitiveness potential by complementing and further leveraging potential EDA funding. Commitments are public demonstrations of regional collaboration and industry intent to fully execute on the Tech Hub’s proposed activities. EDA values these commitments because they provide additional validation of the Tech Hub’s strategy to address commercialization gaps. See Appendices C, D, and E for commitment examples.

Commitments should demonstrate concrete and specific actions that directly support the Tech Hub’s strategic goals. As commitments are usually ancillary to EDA projects, and not actually part of the EDA projects themselves, commitments are generally not subject to federal requirements.14

• Investment commitments may be direct (cash) or indirect (in-kind). As feasible, investment commitments should include an accurate and quantifiable value. Investment commitments should also not only describe how and when funds are delivered but the benefit or result achieved from the investment.

o Investment (cash) commitments may include, but are not limited to, direct contributions to a component project (not already counted as match), new upgrades to existing facilities, or a newly established fund for small businesses.

o Investment (in-kind) commitments examples may include employee staff time, consulting services, or use of lab space or software.

• Policy commitments may be regulatory or programmatic. Examples may include, but are not limited to, reduction in regulatory requirements to improve technology transfer or new collaborations that reduce time to market. Policy commitments are not required to provide a quantifiable value but should detail the problem or issue addressed and the intended result or benefit.

• Talent and hiring commitments should be as specific as possible, outlining the roles to be filled (or trained or interviewed for), the number of positions, expected wages, and the anticipated hiring timeline.

13 Note that subrecipients may provide matching share. For additional information on the differences between contractors and subrecipients, see section H4, 2 CFR 200.1, and 2 CFR 200.331.

14 In some specific instances where an entity commits to co-invest in the same construction project as the EDA-funded project, federal requirements may be applicable.

As part of this NOFO, EDA requires that each Tech Hub provide up to five letters detailing new commitments made to the Tech Hub since the last Tech Hubs funding competition (post February 2024). While each Tech Hub applicant can and likely should collect more than five commitments, EDA is requiring each Tech Hub to only include up to five new commitments, backed by commitment letters, in its application.

Commitment letters must include the name and signature of the party responsible. All letters should be collated and submitted as a single pdf.

Quality new commitments will have the following characteristics:

• Meaningful: Commitments should clearly articulate how the proposed action will improve the competitiveness of a Tech Hub and specify how it addresses a longstanding gap, reduces a critical barrier, or contributes to solving a significant problem.