$4.5 Million STEM Talent Challenge Funding Opportunity Launched to Build a Robust STEM Workforce for Emerging and Transformative Innovation Sectors

EDA is now accepting applications for its FY23 STEM Talent Challenge to support programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation.

The $4.5 million competition will provide funding for programs that help build a robust STEM workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics,  biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, among others. 

Click here for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)

Competition applicants may request up to $500,000 for implementation of a 24-month workforce program that complements their region’s innovation economy.

Click here to apply.  The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 12, 2023.

Competitive applications will demonstrate how the program will develop or expand regional STEM workforce capacity to support entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses.

Click here to learn more about past STEM Talent Challenge awardees

Eligible applicants include cities, counties, states, other political subdivisions of states, and Tribal Nations; as well as non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, federal laboratories or science/research parks, institutions of higher education, Economic Development Organizations, and consortia of the aforementioned with government support.

For more information including full details on eligibility, visit EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge webpage.

EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) administers the STEM Talent Challenge, which is authorized under Section 30 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Act of 1980.

This challenge builds on the momentum of OIE’s Build to Scale Program, which builds regional economies through scalable startups.