The purpose of EDA’s University Center Economic Development Program is to assist institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education in establishing and operating University Centers specifically focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems

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that support high-growth entrepreneurship.

Since FY 2004, EDA has administered the University Center program as a competitive multi-year program.

EDA holds University Center program competitions in two of its six regional offices on a non-annual basis.

In FY 2012, EDA is holding the competition in its Atlanta and Seattle Regional Offices.

The Atlanta Regional Office serves:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The Seattle Regional Office serves:
Alaska, Arizona, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Republic of Palau, and Washington.EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship.

University Center applicants should integrate their programs across their institutions in order to leverage multiple programs that support economic development.

Applicants should also demonstrate a record of success in fostering higher-skill, higher-wage job creation, as well as the ability to engage the private sector and leverage other sources of financial support.