Research and Evaluation Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 11.312
- Agency
-
Economic Development Administration
Department of Commerce
- Grant awards
- 82 $35,936,753 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 13-2050-0-1-452
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds research, evaluation tools, and best-practice resources that inform federal economic development policy and strengthen regional competitiveness, with the most recent award made on October 1, 2022 (CFDA 11.312).
Activity has been uneven. EDA disbursed 82 awards totaling $35.9 million in federal dollars since 2001, with a non-federal cost-share contribution of $6.9 million bringing the combined obligated total to $42.8 million. The award cadence varies significantly: 2018 saw 1 award, 2019 saw 3, 2020 saw 1, 2021 saw 3, and 2022 saw 2. The most recent funded award closed out in October 2022, which is now over four years ago. No grant opportunities are currently open. The most recent opportunity listed in the source (EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2021, FY 2021–2023 Economic Development RNTA) was posted June 9, 2021 and has been superseded; concept proposals were submitted to rnta@eda.gov with full applications via EDA's new EDGE platform beginning April 6, 2023.
The program funds applied research and evaluation projects that produce knowledge and tools for economic development practitioners. Representative awards include the National Economic Research and Resilience Center Project ($6.2 million, October 2022), a web-based clearinghouse for research, data, and planning tools; a Community of Practice with the Urban Institute and National American Indian Housing Council supporting tribal economic development ($3.3 million, September 2022); Milken Institute's project accelerator for predevelopment activities in underserved rural and distressed communities ($500 thousand, September 2021); and the Urban Institute's research on local effects of EDA investments ($1.9 million, October 2018). Projects span 12 to 18 months, with typical work investigating rural innovation, persistent poverty, university research parks, regional economic frameworks, disaster recovery outcomes, and workforce development strategies.
EDA is the sole funding agency. Awards are predominantly Project Grants (70 awards, 85 percent) with a smaller share of Cooperative Agreements (12 awards, 15 percent). Individual award magnitudes typically range from $102 thousand to $6.2 million, with median awards in the low hundreds of thousands.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, economic development districts, nonprofit organizations, private individuals, and for-profit organizations. Applications require a two-step process with concept proposals submitted first and full applications by invitation only. The program typically requires two months for EDA to reach a final decision on completed applications.
The program is active but operates on an infrequent solicitation cycle. No current grant opportunity is open as of October 2026, and the most recent opportunity closed its acceptance window in April 2023 or earlier. Pursuit should be contingent on a new NOFO being posted by EDA.
Objective and description
- Objective
Through the R & E program, EDA supports the development of tools, recommendations, and resources that shape Federal economic development policies and inform economic development decision-making. R & E program investments provide critical, cutting-edge re
- Description
Through the R & E program, EDA supports the development of tools, recommendations, and resources that shape Federal economic development policies and inform economic development decision-making. R & E program investments provide critical, cutting-edge research and best practices to regional, state, and local practitioners in the economic development field, thereby enhancing understanding and implementation of economic development concepts throughout the country. EDA also regularly evaluates the impacts and outcomes of its various programs as a means of identifying policy and program modifications that will increase the Agency's efficiency and effectiveness.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance under this NOFO include a(n): a. District Organization; b. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; c. State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; d. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; e. Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State; f. A private individual or g. For-profit organization
- Beneficiary eligibility
Not applicable. Research and Evaluation investments are designed to finance projects for research into techniques that promote competitiveness and innovation in urban and rural regions throughout the United States.
- Uses of assistance
Through the R & E program, EDA supports the development of tools, recommendations, and resources that shape Federal economic development policies and inform economic development decision-making. R & E program investments provide critical, cutting-edge research and best practices to regional, state, and local practitioners in the economic development field, thereby enhancing understanding and implementation of economic development concepts throughout the country. EDA also regularly evaluates the impacts and outcomes of its various programs as a means of identifying policy and program modifications that will increase the Agency's efficiency and effectiveness. R & E investments may be awarded to: • Research and evaluate topics or issues to improve the understanding of economic development principles, strategies, and concepts; • Improve understanding of the causes of economic distress and distressed communities and potential remedies thereof; • Evaluate success of economic development programs, policies and strategies for improving economic outcomes; • Develop innovative tools, measures and widely applicable data sets for studying economic development outcomes, principles and policies; or • Perform other activities determined by EDA to be appropriate under the R & E program.
- Use restrictions
EDA Investment assistance may not be used to start or expand a private business.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
EDA anticipates a twelve (12) to eighteen (18) month project period for investments funded under this NOFO, subject to the availability of funds, EDA policy, and satisfactory performance under the award.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
EDA will review all Research and Evaluation applications for the feasibility of the budget presented and conformance with EDA statutory, regulatory requirements, and those enumerated in the applicable federal funding opportunity (FFO). Applications must meet EDA's investment policy guidelines as set forth in 13 C.F.R. § 301.8, the requirements of 13 C.F.R. part 306, as applicable, and other requirements as provided in the applicable FFO.
- Award procedure
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (Assistant Secretary), or other designated individual, is the selecting official for Research and Evaluation projects. EDA will award investment assistance in accord with the procedures set forth in the applicable FFO.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Generally, two months are required for EDA to reach a final decision after receipt of a completed application that meets all requirements.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 82 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uchicago Argonne, LLC | $6,228,291 | 17% |
| 2 | The Urban Institute | $5,237,034 | 15% |
| 3 | Trustees Of Indiana University | $4,271,612 | 12% |
| 4 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | $1,988,154 | 6% |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | $1,284,817 | 4% |
| 6 | National Association Of Development Organizations Research Foundation, Inc. | $1,071,125 | 3% |
| 7 | Sri International | $1,031,817 | 3% |
| 8 | Purdue University | $966,994 | 3% |
| 9 | Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated | $898,898 | 3% |
| 10 | The University Of Central Florida Board Of Trustees | $749,630 | 2% |
10 of 53 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $1,087,848 |
| FY2023 | $1,398,681 |
| FY2022 | $4,835,042 |
| FY2021 | $1,527,158 |
| FY2020 | $1,562,755 |
| FY2019 | $3,671,316 |
| FY2018 | $1,047,192 |
| FY2017 | $3,091,651 |
| FY2016 | $851,000 |
| FY2015 | $649,832 |
| FY2014 | $490,000 |
| FY2012 | $3,234,507 |
| FY2011 | $1,485,560 |
| FY2010 | $2,393,689 |
| FY2009 | $30,000 |
| FY2008 | $606,141 |
| FY2007 | $993,236 |
| FY2006 | $797,380 |
| FY2005 | $445,099 |
| FY2004 | $295,541 |
| FY2003 | $456,875 |
| FY2002 | $419,725 |
| FY2001 | $517,162 |
Show all 23
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 11.312?
Assistance Listing 11.312 is Research and Evaluation Program, a federal grant program run by Economic Development Administration (Department of Commerce).
What is the CFDA number for Research and Evaluation Program?
Its CFDA number is 11.312: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.312 awarded?
82 grant awards under 11.312 have obligated $35,936,753 in federal funds to 53 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 11.312?
The recipients obligated the most under Research and Evaluation Program are Uchicago Argonne, LLC ($6,228,291), The Urban Institute ($5,237,034) and Trustees Of Indiana University ($4,271,612).
Are there open grant opportunities under 11.312?
No opportunity listed under 11.312 is open now. The latest, FY 2021 - 2023 Economic Development RNTA, was posted on June 9, 2021.
On GovTribe
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