Cluster Grants
The Department of Commerce fosters and promotes the nation's economic development and technological advancement through vigilance in international trade policy, domestic business policy and growth, and promoting economic progress at all levels.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used for:
A.
Feasibility studies.
B.
Planning activities.
C.
Technical assistance.
D.
Developing or strengthening communication and collaboration between and among participants of a regional innovation cluster.
E.
Attracting additional participants to a regional innovation cluster.
F.
Facilitating market development of products and services developed by a regional innovation cluster, including through demonstration, deployment, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
G.
Developing relationships between a regional innovation cluster and entities or clusters in other regions.
H.
Interacting with the public and State and local governments to meet the goals of the cluster.
Use of funds must be consistent with the mission of the EDA.
All grants awarded are competitive in nature.
EDA does not award formula grants.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
None.
Beneficiary Eligibility
None.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. For information on the application process you may access the applicable federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for Cluster Grant assistance at www.grants.gov and at www.eda.gov. EDA will review each application for Cluster Grant assistance in accordance with the evaluation criteria, funding priorities, and selection procedures set forth in the applicable FFO.
Award Procedures
EDA Staff review complete applications for eligibility and compatibility with the program s goals and objectives. Applications deemed eligible and at least minimally consistent with the program s goals and objectives are referred to a review panel, which recommends applications for funding to the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer makes final funding determinations for the program.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Section 27 (15 U.S.C. 3722) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.17 3701 et seq.).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 50.%.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Project periods are specified in the grant award documents, but generally these do not exceed three years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Funds are generally disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
No program reports are required.
No cash reports are required.
Project progress and financial reports are required, generally on a quarterly basis, as required by the Special Terms and Conditions governing the award.
EDA requires the submission of the SF-425 Federal Financial Report.
EDA reviews progress and financial reports for compliance with all award terms and conditions, as well as EDA regulations.
EDA reserves the right to conduct site visits on an as-needed basis.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. The applicant is reminded that EDA or the Department of Commerce s Office of Inspector General also may conduct an audit of an award at any time.
Records
All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of recipients or sub-recipients are required to be maintained by the terms of the grant agreement.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-2050-0-1-452.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 13 Not Available; FY 14 Estimate Not Available; and FY 15 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices.
Headquarters Office
Office of Public Affairs U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 71014
, Washington, District of Columbia 20230 Phone: 202-482-4085
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
i. whether the regional innovation cluster is supported by the private sector, State and local governments, and other relevant stakeholders;
ii. how the existing participants in the regional innovation cluster will encourage and solicit participation by all types of entities that might benefit from participation, including newly formed entities and those rival existing participants;
iii. the extent to which the regional innovation cluster is likely to stimulate innovation and have a positive impact on regional economic growth and development, especially through the creation of jobs and leveraging of private investment;
iv. whether the participants in the regional innovation cluster have access to, or contribute to, a well-trained workforce;
v. whether the participants in the regional innovation cluster are capable of attracting additional funds from non-Federal sources; and
vi. the likelihood that the participants in the regional innovation cluster will be able to sustain activities once grant funds under this subsection have been expended.
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