Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2021 2007015
The FY 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Program is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, administered through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). It is designed to help regions build stronger STEM workforce pipelines by creating and putting into practice new or expanded apprenticeship models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The central idea is to connect talent development directly to a region's innovation economy, meaning the local mix of entrepreneurs, technology-based firms, research activity, and emerging industries that drive new products, new companies, and better-paying jobs.
At its core, the program focuses on apprenticeships as a practical, employer-connected way to prepare people for in-demand STEM roles. EDA is looking for apprenticeship approaches that are not just routine training programs, but genuinely innovative models that fit regional conditions and industry needs. The intent is to develop or expand workforce capacity that supports high-growth and high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, "industries of the future" (typically sectors built around emerging technologies), and other innovation-driven businesses. In other words, the program is aimed at regions where STEM skill shortages could limit business expansion, startup formation, technology commercialization, and broader economic competitiveness, and it funds projects that can help remove that constraint.
The opportunity is listed as Funding Opportunity Number EDA HDQ OIE 2021 2007015 under CFDA 11.023. Grants are the funding instrument, and the activity categories span employment and workforce training, regional development, and science and technology-related research and development activities. EDA anticipated making about 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per project, indicating that the program is intended to seed and pilot strong apprenticeship models rather than finance large-scale workforce systems on its own. Projects funded under this program would be expected to translate into tangible workforce outcomes that align with innovation-led growth, such as building pathways into skilled STEM jobs, strengthening employer-education partnerships, and supporting the talent needs of technology-oriented companies and startups.
Eligibility is fairly broad and includes county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The notice also mentions "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which commonly signals that certain quasi-public entities, economic development organizations, or other regionally focused intermediaries may qualify depending on the specific conditions laid out by EDA. The opportunity was created on August 12, 2021, with an original application deadline of October 12, 2021, placing it within the FY 2021 funding cycle.
Overall, this grant opportunity is geared toward regions that want to align STEM training directly with the needs of innovation-driven employers and emerging technology sectors. By funding the design and implementation of apprenticeship models that match local economic strategy, EDA is using workforce development as an economic development tool: strengthening the supply of STEM talent so that new and scaling firms can hire locally, grow faster, and contribute to sustained job creation and regional competitiveness.Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2021 2007015
- The Department of Commerce in the employment, labor and training, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.023.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 12, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 12, 2021. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Program (EDA) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FY 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Program?
The FY 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Program is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and is focused on strengthening regional STEM workforce pipelines through new or expanded apprenticeship models.
Which federal agency is offering and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and administered through the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
What is the main goal of this program?
The main goal is to help regions build stronger STEM talent pipelines by creating and putting into practice apprenticeship models that are tied directly to local employer demand and a region's innovation economy.
What does the program mean by a region's "innovation economy"?
In this program context, a region's innovation economy refers to the local mix of entrepreneurs, technology-based firms, research activity, and emerging industries that drive new products, new companies, and better-paying jobs.
What types of projects is EDA looking to fund?
EDA is looking to fund projects that design, develop, or expand apprenticeship approaches in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The emphasis is on models that are innovative and tailored to regional conditions and industry needs, rather than routine training programs.
Is the program focused on training in general, or specifically on apprenticeships?
The program is specifically focused on apprenticeships as a practical, employer-connected method for preparing people for in-demand STEM roles.
What makes an apprenticeship model "innovative" under this opportunity?
Based on the program description, EDA is seeking apprenticeship approaches that go beyond standard or routine training and instead offer genuinely new or expanded models that fit local conditions and align with the needs of regional industries, especially innovation-driven sectors.
How does this grant connect workforce development to economic development?
The program treats workforce development as an economic development tool by strengthening the supply of STEM talent needed by innovation-driven businesses. The idea is that stronger STEM talent pipelines can help technology-oriented companies and startups hire locally, grow faster, and support sustained job creation and regional competitiveness.
What kinds of industries or employers does the program prioritize?
The program is aimed at supporting high-growth and high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, "industries of the future" (typically built around emerging technologies), and other innovation-driven businesses that rely on STEM talent.
What problem is EDA trying to address through this grant?
The program is designed for regions where STEM skill shortages could limit business expansion, startup formation, technology commercialization, and overall economic competitiveness. Funded projects are intended to help remove that constraint by building or expanding STEM workforce capacity through apprenticeships.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this grant is EDA HDQ OIE 2021 2007015.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.023.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.
What activity categories does this opportunity cover?
The activity categories span employment and workforce training, regional development, and science and technology-related research and development activities.
How many awards did EDA expect to make?
EDA anticipated making about 10 awards under this program.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000 per project.
What does the award ceiling suggest about the size or purpose of projects?
With a $250,000 ceiling and a limited number of expected awards, the program appears intended to seed and pilot strong apprenticeship models rather than fund large-scale workforce systems on its own.
What kinds of outcomes are expected from funded projects?
Projects are expected to translate into tangible workforce outcomes aligned with innovation-led growth, such as building pathways into skilled STEM jobs, strengthening employer-education partnerships, and supporting the talent needs of technology-oriented companies and startups.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are nonprofits eligible, and are there any limitations mentioned?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the limitation noted that this category excludes institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Does the notice mention any other potentially eligible applicant types?
Yes. The notice mentions "Others" and indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement. This often implies certain quasi-public entities, economic development organizations, or other regionally focused intermediaries may qualify depending on EDA's conditions.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 12, 2021.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was October 12, 2021.
Which funding cycle does this opportunity fall under?
It falls within the FY 2021 funding cycle.
Is this grant intended to support regions broadly, or only certain kinds of regions?
The program is geared toward regions that want to align STEM training directly with innovation-driven employer needs and emerging technology sectors, particularly where STEM talent shortages could constrain innovation-led growth.
What is the overall strategy behind the STEM Talent Challenge Program?
The overall strategy is to strengthen regional competitiveness by funding apprenticeship models that build STEM talent pipelines aligned with local economic strategy, enabling innovation-oriented firms and startups to access skilled workers and expand.
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