Economic Development Administration Announces Phase 1 of New Tech Hubs Program
INSIGHTi
Economic Development Administration
Announces Phase 1 of New Tech Hubs
Program
June 1, 2023
In reaction to concerns about widening socioeconomic and regional disparities, as well as the capacity of
small, rural, and underserved communities to be competitive in the global economy, Congress expanded
support for regional innovation policies. Through the CHIPS and Science Act (P.L. 117-167), Congress
established the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program, a place-based,
technology-focused initiative, designed to facilitate economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to
national competitiveness. Congress appropriated $500 million for the program in FY2023 (P.L. 117-328).
For additional information, see CRS Report R47495, Regional Innovation: Federal Programs and Issues
for Consideration.
On May 12, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) released the first of two planned Notices
of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for the Tech Hubs. This Insight provides an overview of the
programand considerations for Congress. It does not cover application instructions, which are included in
the NOFO.
Program Overview and Structure
According to the NOFO, the purpose of the Tech Hubs program is to
strengthen U.S. economic and national security through place-based investments in regions with the
assets, resources, capacity, and potential to become globally competitive Tech Hubs, within
approximately ten years, in the technologies and industries of the future, and for those industries,
companies, and the good jobs they create to start, grow, and remain in the United States.
Many existing federal economic development programs focus on a single strategy (e.g., workforce,
capital access, or infrastructure). In contrast, the Tech Hubs program is designed to support the
development of a region’s overall innovation ecosystem.
EDA plans to administer two Tech Hubs funding awards:
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• Strategy development awards—to help a consortium prepare to apply for an implementation
award and/or Tech Hub designation by supporting planning, coordination, and pre-development
activities; and
• Strategy implementation awards—to support economic development activities such as
workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, technology maturation, and
infrastructure.
EDA plans to administer the program in two phases. In Phase 1, an applicant can apply for a strategy
development award, a Tech Hub designation, or both. Only entities that are already designated as Tech
Hubs in Phase 1 will be permitted to apply for implementation awards under the Phase 2 NOFO.
Designated Tech Hubs, however, will not be required to receive a strategy development award to apply
for an implementation award. EDA is statutorily required to designate at least 20 Tech Hubs and indicates
that designation is a strong signal of a region’s potential. There is no funding associated with the
designation. Each hub is encouraged to identify its key technology focus area(s) from an established list
of 10 focus areas.
Most applicants seeking a strategy development award are required to provide matching funds. However,
the percent of matching funds may be lowered for projects led by or benefitting tribal communities or
communities that are small and rural or otherwise underserved.
EDA plans to award $15 million in strategy development funds under Phase 1 (award sizes ranging
between $400,000-$500,000) and anticipates funding 5 to 10 strategy implementation grants under Phase
2 (award sizes ranging between $50 million-$75 million).
Eligible Applicants
EDA plans to award grants to eligible consortia. In addition to other entities, an eligible consortium must
include one or more representatives from:
• Institutions of higher education;
• State, territorial, local, or tribal governments or other political subdivisions of a state;
• Industry groups or firms in relevant technology, innovation, or manufacturing sectors;
• Economic development organizations or similar entities; and
• Labor or workforce training organizations.
The NOFO encourages the participation of at least two private firms in an eligible consortium, and notes
that other entities may be part of the consortium. One of the consortium members will be the lead
applicant.
Selection Criteria
Strategy development applications are to be reviewed based on three equally weighted selection criteria:
• The extent to which the project will strengthen engagement and collaboration among
regional stakeholders, whether or not they are consortium members;
• The consortium’s organizational and leadership capacity, including financial and
management capacity; and
• The project’s potential to increase the capacity of the region to achieve designation as a
hub.
Hub designation applications are to be reviewed against seven selection criteria:
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• Technology-based potential of the region for global competitiveness;
• Role of the private sector;
• Regional coordination and partnerships;
• Equity and diversity;
• Composition and capacity of the regional workforce;
• Innovative “lab-to-market” approaches; and
• Impact on the economic and national security of the entire United States.
Applications are to be scored out of 51 points, with a maximum of six points for each criteria, except the
“technology-based potential of the region for global competitiveness” criteria which is worth a maximum
of 15 points.
The NOFO indicates that it will focus on regions that demonstrate potential—but are not yet fully
developed—for designations and awards. It also notes that “EDA will not fund basic and fundamental
research nor activities intended to increase capacity to conduct such research … EDA will also not fund a
region that, absent EDA funding, is on a clear path to global competitiveness.”
Policy Considerations
Congress may consider the following as EDA implements the first phase of the Tech Hubs program:
• P.L. 117-167 authorized $10 billion over five years for the program. Will Congress continue
providing appropriations and at what level of funding?
• In addition to the selection criteria described above, will EDA consider other factors (e.g., the
extent to which a hub will benefit rural communities or leverages minority-serving institutions) in
awarding funds and making designations? If so, how will EDA weigh such factors? What does a
balanced portfolio, in terms of geography and technology focus areas, look like?
• What metrics will EDA use to measure the performance and success of designated hubs and the
program as a whole? Should such metrics vary over time, and if so, how?
• Will EDA provide additional technical assistance to designated hubs, and if so, how?
• Does EDA have the staff and technical expertise necessary to appropriately administer and
oversee the program?
• How will EDA coordinate its efforts and awards with other agencies supporting regional
innovation activities, including other Commerce agencies?
Author Information
Julie M. Lawhorn
Marcy E. Gallo
Analyst in Economic Development Policy
Analyst in Science and Technology Policy
Congressional Research Service
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Disclaimer
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