Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2017 2005260
The FY 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and accelerate the path from research to real-world economic impact. The core idea behind the program is to help regions build and connect innovation-driven sectors that can reliably turn new ideas and technologies into commercial products and services, new businesses, and sustained job creation through entrepreneurship. In practical terms, EDA is targeting the kinds of programs and organizations that sit in the early stages of the innovation pipeline, where promising research and prototypes often need structured support, funding, and mentorship to become viable companies.
Funding under this notice is organized around two separate competitive tracks: the 2017 i6 Challenge and the 2017 Seed Fund Support (SFS) competition. While the summary text does not spell out all differences between the two tracks, the intent is clear. One set of awards focuses on capacity-building activities that deliver proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance, meaning support for validating technical feasibility, building prototypes, conducting market research, refining business models, protecting intellectual property, and preparing for commercialization. The other set focuses on operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage capital to startups, which typically includes seed funds and similar entities that invest in young companies when traditional financing is limited. Applicants are allowed to apply to one or both competitions, but submitting to both is optional, not required.
A major condition of this program is the cost share requirement. Applicants must contribute non-federal matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost. That means EDA funds can cover no more than half of the overall budget, and the applicant must secure the remaining share from eligible non-federal sources. This is an important planning factor because it requires applicants to demonstrate not only a compelling project but also strong local, state, philanthropic, institutional, or private-sector support to complete the funding package.
Eligibility is broad and designed to encourage regional collaboration. Eligible applicants include state governments; county and city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit entities); and other eligible organizations. The notice also specifies that eligible entities can include nonprofits, universities, public-private partnerships, science or research parks, federal laboratories, economic development organizations, and similar entities, as long as the application is supported by a state or a political subdivision of a state. In addition, consortia made up of any combination of these eligible entities may apply, reflecting the program goal of building connected, regional systems rather than isolated projects.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.020 and categorized under regional development and related activities. The funding instrument is a grant. The opportunity number is EDA HDQ OIE 2017 2005260, and the program was posted on May 10, 2017, with an original closing date of June 23, 2017. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, indicating that individual awards could be as large as half a million dollars, depending on the specific competition requirements and the overall project budget (especially given the 50 percent minimum match requirement). Overall, the RIS program is aimed at regions that can demonstrate a credible plan to strengthen their innovation infrastructure, support entrepreneurs and technology commercialization, and translate research strengths into measurable economic outcomes.Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2017 2005260
- The Department of Commerce in the other, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.020.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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FY 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program (EDA) - FAQs
What is the FY 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program?
The FY 2017 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). It is designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and help accelerate the path from research to real-world economic impact, including commercialization, new business formation, and sustained job creation through entrepreneurship.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The goal is to help regions build and connect innovation-driven sectors that can consistently translate new ideas and technologies into commercial products and services. In practical terms, the program targets efforts that support early-stage innovation, where research and prototypes need structured assistance (funding, mentorship, and commercialization support) to become viable companies.
Who is the funding agency for this program?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What are the competitive tracks under this notice?
Funding is organized around two separate competitive tracks: the 2017 i6 Challenge and the 2017 Seed Fund Support (SFS) competition.
Do applicants have to apply to both the i6 Challenge and the Seed Fund Support (SFS) competition?
No. Applicants are allowed to apply to one or both competitions. Submitting to both is optional and not required.
What kinds of activities are supported under the commercialization and proof-of-concept focus?
The notice describes a set of awards focused on capacity-building activities that provide proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance. Examples named in the description include validating technical feasibility, building prototypes, conducting market research, refining business models, protecting intellectual property, and preparing technologies or ventures for commercialization.
What kinds of activities are supported under the seed fund/early-stage capital focus?
The notice describes a set of awards focused on operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage capital to startups. This typically includes seed funds and similar entities that invest in young companies when traditional financing is limited.
What is the cost share (match) requirement?
Applicants must contribute non-federal matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost. This means EDA funds can cover no more than half of the overall project budget.
What does a 50 percent minimum match mean in practical budget terms?
It means the project must be financed by a combination of EDA funds and eligible non-federal sources, with non-federal sources covering at least half of the total project cost. Applicants must plan for and document sufficient non-federal support to complete the project funding package.
What kinds of sources may support the required match (based on the description)?
The description emphasizes the need for strong non-federal support and references potential backing such as local, state, philanthropic, institutional, or private-sector support, as long as it is from eligible non-federal sources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include state governments; county and city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit entities); and other eligible organizations.
Are universities and higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits are eligible, including 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit entities.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Can public-private partnerships, science parks, or research parks apply?
The notice indicates that eligible entities can include public-private partnerships, science or research parks, federal laboratories, economic development organizations, and similar entities, as long as the application is supported by a state or a political subdivision of a state.
Is there a requirement for state or local government support for certain applicants?
Yes. The notice specifies that eligible entities such as nonprofits, universities, public-private partnerships, science or research parks, federal laboratories, economic development organizations, and similar entities must have an application supported by a state or a political subdivision of a state.
Can a consortium apply?
Yes. Consortia made up of any combination of eligible entities may apply. This aligns with the program goal of building connected, regional systems rather than isolated projects.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.020.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under regional development and related activities.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is EDA HDQ OIE 2017 2005260.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 10, 2017.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is June 23, 2017.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $500,000, meaning individual awards could be as large as $500,000 depending on the specific competition requirements and the overall project budget.
What types of outcomes is EDA trying to achieve through RIS?
The program is aimed at regions that can show a credible plan to strengthen innovation infrastructure, support entrepreneurs and technology commercialization, and translate research strengths into measurable economic outcomes such as commercial products and services, new businesses, and sustained job creation.
What stage of the innovation pipeline does this program emphasize?
The program emphasizes early stages of the innovation pipeline, where promising research and prototypes often need structured support, funding, and mentorship to progress toward commercialization and company formation.
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