Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Challenge Program

The U.S Economic Development Administration's STEM Talent Challenge aims to build STEM talent training systems to strengthen regional innovation economies.

The STEM Talent Challenge provides grants to organizations that develop and implement STEM talent strategies to support regional innovation economies. The challenge seeks applicants who can identify opportunities in high-growth sectors and expand the workforce for the innovation economy. It particularly focuses on emerging, transformative industries such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced manufacturing and robotics, space exploration and commerce, bioscience, quantum information science, as well as aqua- and agricultural technologies. This program may make new awards based on FY26 appropriations. Funded projects may still actively report expenditures.

Eligible applications for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance under this NOFO include: • a State; • an Indian tribe; • a city or other political subdivision of a State; • an entity that is- o a nonprofit organization; o an institution of higher education; o a public-private partnership; o a science or research park; o a Federal laboratory; o an economic development organization or similar entity; and that has an application supported by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a native organization; or • a consortium of any of the above-mentioned eligible applicants.

Proposed projects may aim for some or all of the following outputs and outcomes or others, as appropriate, considering each proposed project's regional, sectoral, and economic contexts. A. STEM Work-Based Learning and Training Projects should focus on an interdisciplinary approach and utilize training models that provide workers with the experiences and skills they will need to succeed on-the-job and in real-world applications. These may include, but are not limited to, innovative industry-driven apprenticeships, fellowships, internships, and other cooperative employer-educator partnerships, and are not limited to existing industry definitions - experimentation and innovation is encouraged. While important to the development of a future workforce, general education programs such as those found in K-12 curriculums are not encouraged, unless part of a broader strategy in a STEM readiness program. B. Increase Regional Innovation Capacity Projects should focus on connecting regional innovation stakeholders and employers with the workforce and talent development leaders of the region, or training providers who are readying tomorrow's workforce. Programs should emphasize enabling the region's fast-paced technology startups and innovative companies to hire locally and decrease their costs and lead time to filling positions, allowing them to grow their teams and scale their businesses faster. Traditional workforce development programs may not have the expertise or networks to accomplish this - organizations that normally do not identify as workforce development organizations, but are driving regional innovation through worker training are encouraged to apply. These may include, but are not limited to eligible applicants that are business accelerators and incubators, digital economy training organizations, and venture development organizations. Please see Section C (p. 4) of this NOFO for eligibility information regarding the STEM Talent Challenge.

Proposed projects may aim for some or all of the following outputs and outcomes or others, as appropriate, considering each proposed project's regional, sectoral, and economic contexts. A. STEM Work-Based Learning and Training Projects should focus on an interdisciplinary approach and utilize training models that provide workers with the experiences and skills they will need to succeed on-the-job and in real-world applications. These may include, but are not limited to, innovative industry-driven apprenticeships, fellowships, internships, and other cooperative employer-educator partnerships, and are not limited to existing industry definitions - experimentation and innovation is encouraged. While important to the development of a future workforce, general education programs such as those found in K-12 curriculums are not encouraged, unless part of a broader strategy in a STEM readiness program. B. Increase Regional Innovation Capacity Projects should focus on connecting regional innovation stakeholders and employers with the workforce and talent development leaders of the region, or training providers who are readying tomorrow's workforce. Programs should emphasize enabling the region's fast-paced technology startups and innovative companies to hire locally and decrease their costs and lead time to filling positions, allowing them to grow their teams and scale their businesses faster. Traditional workforce development programs may not have the expertise or networks to accomplish this - organizations that normally do not identify as workforce development organizations, but are driving regional innovation through worker training are encouraged to apply. These may include, but are not limited to eligible applicants that are business accelerators and incubators, digital economy training organizations, and venture development organizations. Please see Section C (p. 4) of this NOFO for eligibility information regarding the STEM Talent Challenge.

Anticipated awards typically will have a period of performance of approximately 18 to 24 months with an estimated start date about 45 days after the date on which EDA makes the award. If opting for $50,000 planning and development activities, this work must be completed within the first six months of the award. The application is expected to be released in August 2022. Subject to the availability of funding, EDA expects to notify applicants of its decision in writing approximately 90 - 120 days after the Application Deadline. EDA expects that all projects will proceed efficiently and expeditiously, and EDA encourages applicants to clearly document how quickly the applicant will be able to start and complete the proposed work. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis.

Merit Reviewers will evaluate the applications against the evaluation criteria enumerated in Section E of this NOFO. Each application will be reviewed by at least three Merit Reviewers. Merit reviewers may include but are not limited to, DOC and EDA personnel, and other Federal and non-Federal subject matter experts. EDA, in its sole discretion, may use a statistical technique to normalize and aggregate Merit Reviewers' quantitative evaluations (i.e., scores) and may consider qualitative Merit Reviewer evaluation information. For each competition, the most highly ranked applications will be recommended to the Grants Officer as the applications that merit consideration for EDA funding. The final decision of the Grants Officer must be consistent with this NOFO and applicable law. Should the Grants Officer make a selection that differs from the review committee's recommendation, the Grants Officer will document the rationale for the decision in writing. There is no appeal process for denied applications

Anticipated awards typically will have a period of performance of approximately 18 to 24 months with an estimated start date about 45 days after the date on which EDA makes the award.