EDA Tech Hubs Implementation Grants: Access Up to $75 Million to Build Regional Innovation Ecosystems

The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs Implementation Grants provide up to $75 million to help designated Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs build world-class innovation ecosystems in their regions. This is one of the largest economic development grant programs in U.S. history, designed to ensure that the industries and technologies of the future are developed and manufactured across America, not just in a handful of coastal cities.

If your region has been designated as a Tech Hub by EDA, these implementation grants fund the infrastructure, workforce development, startup support, and technology commercialization programs needed to transform your region into a global leader in a critical technology area. This isn’t funding for individual companies or small projects—it’s substantial investment in comprehensive regional strategies that can reshape your area’s economy over the next decade.

The Tech Hubs program was created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 with the goal of strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The program recognizes that innovation talent and potential exist across the country, not just in Silicon Valley or Boston. By investing in regions that have genuine assets and capabilities in critical technologies—like advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, quantum computing, clean energy, or artificial intelligence—the program aims to create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure American leadership in technologies essential to economic and national security.

Only consortia that have already received Tech Hub designation from EDA can apply for implementation grants. If your region hasn’t been designated yet, you’d need to apply for designation first (when EDA opens new designation rounds). But if you’re part of one of the 31 designated Tech Hubs, implementation grants offer transformative funding to execute your regional strategy.

Key Details at a Glance

What Implementation Grants Actually Fund

Tech Hubs Implementation Grants support comprehensive regional strategies, not individual projects. A typical implementation grant might fund multiple interconnected initiatives:

Workforce Development and Training to ensure your region has the skilled workers needed for your critical technology focus:

• Specialized training programs aligned with industry needs
• Apprenticeship and work-based learning programs
• Curriculum development at community colleges and universities
• Programs to attract and retain talent
• Partnerships between education institutions and employers
• Upskilling and reskilling programs for existing workers

Startup and Entrepreneur Support to help new companies commercialize technologies and scale:

• Incubators and accelerators focused on your critical technology
• Proof-of-concept and prototyping facilities
• Mentorship and technical assistance programs
• Access to capital programs (though grants typically don’t provide direct equity investment)
• Connections to customers, partners, and investors
• Support for university spinouts and technology transfer

Technology Maturation and Commercialization to move technologies from lab to market:

• Pilot production facilities
• Testing and validation infrastructure
• Demonstration projects
• Technology roadmapping and strategic planning
• Intellectual property support
• Regulatory navigation assistance

Infrastructure Development to provide the physical assets needed for innovation:

• Shared research and development facilities
• Manufacturing demonstration facilities
• Testing and certification labs
• Clean rooms, fabrication facilities, or specialized equipment
• Digital infrastructure and connectivity
• Innovation districts or physical hubs

Governance and Coordination to ensure effective implementation:

• Regional Innovation Officer and staff support
• Consortium management and coordination
• Strategic planning and evaluation
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Partnership development and management
• Data collection and impact measurement

The specific mix depends on your region’s strategy and needs. EDA expects comprehensive approaches that address multiple barriers to regional innovation ecosystem development.

Who Can Apply and Consortium Requirements

Only consortia that have received Tech Hub designation from EDA can apply for implementation grants. You can’t apply for implementation funding without designation first.

Designated Tech Hubs must:

• Be led by a Regional Innovation Officer (RIO) who coordinates the consortium
• Include representatives from industry (especially small and medium manufacturers)
• Include academic and research institutions
• Include state, local, or tribal governments
• Include workforce development and labor organizations
• Demonstrate commitment from all partners through letters of support and resource commitments

Your consortium is a strong candidate for implementation funding if you:

• Have a clear, evidence-based strategy for becoming a global leader in your critical technology area within 10 years
• Can demonstrate genuine regional assets and capabilities in your technology focus
• Have strong commitment and co-investment from industry partners
• Have developed detailed implementation plans with clear milestones and metrics
• Can show how your strategy addresses workforce needs and creates quality jobs
• Have governance structures that enable effective coordination across diverse partners
• Can demonstrate how your strategy advances national security or economic competitiveness

The program prioritizes:

• Regions outside traditional tech hubs (though some coastal regions have been designated)
• Technologies critical to national security and economic competitiveness
• Strategies that create good-paying jobs accessible to workers without four-year degrees
• Approaches that advance equity and include underrepresented communities
• Projects with strong industry commitment and co-investment
• Strategies that strengthen domestic supply chains and manufacturing

You’re probably not competitive if:

• Your consortium lacks genuine industry participation and commitment
• Your strategy is aspirational rather than building on existing regional strengths
• You can’t demonstrate clear pathways to commercialization and job creation
• Your governance structure is weak or doesn’t include key stakeholders
• You lack detailed implementation plans with realistic timelines and budgets

The most successful Tech Hubs have spent years building relationships, developing strategies, and demonstrating regional commitment before applying for implementation funding.

Application Process and Timeline

The application process for implementation grants is rigorous and competitive. Here’s how it typically works:

Pre-Application Phase (Ongoing) - If you’re a designated Tech Hub that hasn’t yet received implementation funding, you should be continuously refining your strategy, building partnerships, securing commitments, and preparing for the next NOFO.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Released - EDA announces when implementation grant applications will be accepted, typically annually. The NOFO specifies deadlines, requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Application Development (2-4 months) - Develop your comprehensive application including:

• Detailed project descriptions for each component of your strategy
• Comprehensive budgets with justifications
• Partnership commitments and letters of support
• Workforce development plans
• Technology commercialization strategies
• Economic impact projections
• Governance and management plans
• Evaluation frameworks

Application Submission - Submit through Grants.gov before the deadline. Late applications are not accepted.

Evaluation Phase (3-6 months) - EDA conducts thorough review including:

• Technical evaluation of your strategy and approach
• Assessment of regional assets and capabilities
• Review of partnership commitments and governance
• Evaluation of economic and national security impact
• Financial and organizational capacity assessment
• Site visits and stakeholder interviews

Award Announcements - EDA announces implementation grant awards. Recent rounds have funded 12-15 Tech Hubs out of 31 designated hubs.

Negotiation and Award (2-4 months) - Work with EDA to finalize project plans, budgets, reporting requirements, and grant agreements.

Implementation (5 years) - Execute your strategy with regular reporting, monitoring, and adjustment based on progress and lessons learned.

The entire process from NOFO release to beginning implementation typically takes 9-15 months.

Insider Tips for Competitive Applications

Build on genuine regional strengths, not aspirations. The most common mistake is choosing a technology focus because it’s trendy rather than because your region has real capabilities. EDA wants to invest in regions that can realistically become global leaders, not regions that hope to build capabilities from scratch.

Demonstrate deep industry engagement. Applications driven by universities or economic development agencies with token industry participation don’t win. Show that companies—especially manufacturers—are central to your strategy and are committing real resources (money, facilities, personnel, partnerships).

Focus on commercialization and jobs, not just research. EDA isn’t funding basic research. They want to see clear pathways from technology development to commercial products, manufacturing, and job creation. Explain how your strategy creates good-paying jobs, especially for workers without four-year degrees.

Address the full innovation ecosystem. Don’t just propose building a research facility or training program. Show how workforce development, startup support, infrastructure, and technology maturation work together to create a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Quantify everything. Provide specific, measurable projections: jobs created, companies formed, investment attracted, technologies commercialized, workers trained. EDA needs to measure impact, so give them concrete numbers.

Show national security or economic competitiveness impact. Explain why your critical technology matters for U.S. competitiveness or security. How does your strategy strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign sources, or advance technologies essential to national security?

Have strong governance and management. EDA has seen too many consortia that can’t make decisions or coordinate effectively. Show that you have governance structures that enable action, a capable Regional Innovation Officer, and mechanisms for resolving conflicts and making decisions.

Demonstrate sustainability. EDA wants to know what happens after the grant ends. How will your ecosystem sustain itself? What revenue models, institutional commitments, or policy changes will ensure long-term viability?

Engage with EDA before applying. EDA staff are available to answer questions and provide guidance. Take advantage of technical assistance, attend informational sessions, and engage with your EDA regional office. This isn’t lobbying—it’s doing your homework.

Common Challenges and How to Address Them

Coordinating diverse partners. Tech Hub consortia include industry, academia, government, and workforce organizations—groups with different priorities and ways of working. Invest heavily in relationship-building, establish clear governance structures, and have dedicated staff (the RIO and team) focused on coordination.

Securing meaningful industry commitments. Getting companies to commit resources and participate actively is challenging. Start early, demonstrate value to companies, and focus on solving real problems they face. Companies participate when they see clear benefits, not just because it’s a good idea.

Developing realistic implementation plans. Many consortia underestimate how long things take and how much they cost. Build detailed project plans with realistic timelines, involve people who’ve actually implemented similar initiatives, and include contingency for delays.

Meeting match requirements. EDA typically requires 10-50% match depending on the project and region. Securing commitments from state government, industry, foundations, and other sources takes time. Start early and get commitments in writing.

Measuring and demonstrating impact. EDA requires regular reporting on progress and impact. Build evaluation systems from the start, collect baseline data, and have clear metrics for success. Don’t wait until you’re asked for data to start collecting it.

Maintaining momentum over 5 years. Political priorities change, key people move on, and enthusiasm wanes. Build institutional structures that outlast individuals, document processes and decisions, and communicate regularly with stakeholders about progress.

What Happens After You Win

If you receive an implementation grant, you’re committing to 5 years of intensive work to transform your region’s innovation ecosystem:

Year 1: Setup and Launch - Hire staff, establish governance structures, finalize partnerships, begin initial projects, set up monitoring systems, and build momentum.

Years 2-4: Full Implementation - Execute your strategy across all components (workforce, startups, infrastructure, technology maturation), track progress against milestones, adjust based on what’s working, demonstrate early wins, and build toward sustainability.

Year 5: Transition and Sustainability - Complete major initiatives, demonstrate impact, transition to sustainable funding models, document lessons learned, and plan for continued ecosystem development beyond the grant.

Throughout implementation, you’ll have:

• Quarterly reporting requirements to EDA
• Annual site visits and progress reviews
• Regular communication with EDA program officers
• Opportunities to participate in Tech Hubs network events and peer learning
• Technical assistance from EDA and partners

EDA takes a supportive approach—they want you to succeed—but they also hold hubs accountable for delivering results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply for implementation funding if we’re not a designated Tech Hub? No. You must receive Tech Hub designation before applying for implementation grants. Watch for future designation rounds if your region hasn’t been designated.

How many Tech Hubs will receive implementation funding? EDA has funded 12 of the 31 designated hubs so far. Additional funding rounds are expected as more appropriations become available.

Can we apply for multiple implementation grants? Typically, each Tech Hub receives one major implementation grant, though you might receive additional smaller grants for specific purposes.

What if our strategy changes during implementation? Minor adjustments are normal and expected. Major changes require EDA approval and must still align with your critical technology focus and original strategy.

Can implementation grants fund construction? Yes, infrastructure development including construction of facilities is allowable, though it must be part of a comprehensive strategy, not the entire grant.

Do we need to create new organizations? Not necessarily. Many Tech Hubs work through existing organizations. What matters is effective governance and coordination, not creating new entities.

What happens if we don’t meet our milestones? EDA works with hubs to understand challenges and adjust approaches. However, persistent underperformance could affect future funding or require returning grant funds.

Can for-profit companies receive grant funds directly? Generally no. Grants go to the consortium (typically a nonprofit or government entity), which then contracts for services or provides support to companies. Direct grants to for-profit entities are limited.

How to Get Started

If you’re part of a designated Tech Hub that hasn’t received implementation funding:

Step 1: Review the most recent NOFO and evaluation criteria on the EDA website.

Step 2: Assess your readiness. Do you have detailed implementation plans, strong partnerships, governance structures, and resource commitments?

Step 3: Engage with EDA. Contact your regional EDA office, attend technical assistance sessions, and ask questions about the application process.

Step 4: Refine your strategy based on feedback from partners, industry, and EDA guidance.

Step 5: Develop your application well before the deadline. These are complex applications that require substantial preparation.

Step 6: Submit on time and be prepared for a thorough evaluation process.

For current information about Tech Hubs implementation grants, visit the EDA website at eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs or contact your regional EDA office.

The Tech Hubs program represents a historic opportunity to build innovation economies across America. For regions with genuine assets and capabilities in critical technologies, implementation grants provide the resources to compete globally and create prosperity for decades to come.