FY 2021 - 2023 Economic Development RNTA

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2021–2023 cycle under its Economic Development Research and Evaluation (R&E) and National Technical Assistance (NTA) programs, collectively referred to as RNTA. This NOFO is designed to support strategic investments in economic development research and national technical assistance projects that promote job creation, innovation, and private investment, particularly in economically distressed communities across the United States and its territories. The funding is authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), as amended. The RNTA programs serve distinct but complementary purposes. The R&E program supports the development of tools, strategies, and research to evaluate and enhance federal economic development policies and regional planning. Projects may involve assessing the effectiveness of existing programs, generating new data sets, and providing recommendations for future development approaches. Meanwhile, the NTA program funds national-scale technical assistance efforts that equip local governments, nonprofit organizations, and economic development practitioners with best practices and tools for advancing their development goals. NTA projects may involve training, outreach, cluster analysis, or assistance to communities undergoing major economic disruptions. EDA was appropriated $1.5 million for the R&E program and $1 million for the NTA program for FY 2021. Award sizes generally range from $200,000 to $500,000, with an average of $350,000. Around five R&E and three NTA projects are funded annually, subject to available funds. Applicants may request awards covering up to 100% of project costs, although providing matching funds is encouraged and may strengthen an application. Grants or cooperative agreements are issued based on whether substantial EDA involvement in the project is anticipated. Eligible applicants include district organizations, Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and individuals. Notably, nonprofit applicants must demonstrate cooperation with local government officials unless seeking a waiver for national or regional projects. Projects must align with at least one of EDA’s published Investment Priorities, and applicants are encouraged to review current priorities on the EDA website prior to submission. The application process is two-fold: first, a Concept Proposal must be submitted in PowerPoint format to RNTA@eda.gov. If accepted, applicants are invited to submit a Full Application through the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) portal. Full Applications require a detailed project narrative, budget and staffing plans, timelines, personnel resumes, and applicable federal forms. Projects may last 12–18 months, and final deliverables must be submitted 60 days before the end of the period of performance. There are no fixed deadlines under this NOFO; applications are accepted on a rolling basis until this funding notice is terminated or superseded. Applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for any amendments. For assistance or inquiries, applicants may contact RNTA@eda.gov. Applications are reviewed first for technical completeness, followed by merit evaluation conducted by an Investment Review Committee based on criteria such as organizational capacity, strategic approach, deliverables, and collaboration. Awards are ultimately approved by the EDA Grants Officer.

Submit Concept Proposal before Full Application. Detail budget and staffing. Ensure all federal forms are complete.