Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA RECOMPETEPHASE1 2023
The FY 2023 Recompete Pilot Program - Phase 1 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) designed to help communities facing long-running economic hardship. The program is specifically targeted at places with a high prime-age (ages 25 to 54) employment gap, meaning a significant share of working-age adults are not employed compared to healthier labor markets. The core intent is to reduce persistent distress by supporting long-term, locally driven economic development efforts that lead to job creation and stronger regional economic conditions.
EDA structured the Recompete Pilot Program as a two-phase competition, with each phase released under its own Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Phase 1 is focused on planning and readiness. In this first phase, EDA will do two things: award funded Strategy Development Grants and approve Recompete Plans for selected regions. Applicants have to decide what they are seeking under Phase 1: they can apply for a Strategy Development Grant, seek approval of a Recompete Plan, or pursue both at the same time. This matters because the two components serve different purposes. Strategy Development Grants provide actual funding to help an area build a strong, comprehensive economic strategy. Recompete Plan approval, however, does not come with funding in Phase 1; its value is that it is a required prerequisite for competing for the much larger Implementation funding that will be offered under Phase 2. In other words, any region that wants to be eligible for Phase 2 implementation dollars should, at minimum, apply in Phase 1 for Recompete Plan approval, even if it is not also pursuing a Strategy Development Grant.
Phase 2 (covered under a separate upcoming NOFO) is where EDA plans to award Implementation funding, meaning resources to carry out the approved plan and execute the strategy on the ground. Phase 1 therefore functions as the gateway: it either helps applicants develop a viable strategy (through funded planning grants), or it formally clears a region to move forward into the implementation competition (through plan approval), or both. The structure is meant to ensure that Phase 2 applicants are not starting from scratch and that proposed investments are tied to a coherent, place-based plan for improving employment outcomes and economic resilience.
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 11.040 and covers activities aligned with business and commerce, regional development, and related economic development work. Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities). The NOFO also indicates there may be additional eligible applicant types under an "Others" category, with specifics clarified in the full NOFO.
From an award and scale perspective, Phase 1 lists an award ceiling of $750,000, with EDA expecting to make around 20 awards. The opportunity was created June 30, 2023, with an original closing date of October 5, 2023. Because this is Phase 1, that ceiling primarily relates to Strategy Development Grant awards, since Recompete Plan approvals themselves are not funded under this phase.
Administratively, a key change in this cycle is that EDA shifted submission and grants management to a new platform called the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE). EDA states that EDGE is intended to streamline the full grants lifecycle by consolidating applications and post-award management into one system with better transparency, usability, and data quality. As of April 6, 2023, applications for this opportunity are no longer accepted through Grants.gov and must be submitted through EDGE at sfgrants.eda.gov, with detailed instructions provided in the full NOFO.Apply for EDA RECOMPETEPHASE1 2023
- The Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration in the business and commerce, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 Recompete Pilot Program - Phase 1" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 30, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 05, 2023. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY 2023 Recompete Pilot Program - Phase 1 (EDA) FAQs
What is the FY 2023 Recompete Pilot Program - Phase 1?
The FY 2023 Recompete Pilot Program - Phase 1 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). It is designed to help communities experiencing long-running economic hardship by supporting locally driven economic development efforts intended to reduce persistent distress, strengthen regional economic conditions, and improve employment outcomes.
What problem is this program trying to address?
The program targets places with a high prime-age (ages 25 to 54) employment gap, meaning a significant share of working-age adults are not employed compared to healthier labor markets. The intent is to reduce persistent distress through long-term strategies tied to job creation and stronger regional economic conditions.
What does "prime-age employment gap" mean in this program?
In this context, it refers to a gap in employment for prime-age adults (ages 25 to 54). A high prime-age employment gap indicates that many working-age adults are not employed relative to regions with healthier labor markets.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. Phase 1 is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
How is the Recompete Pilot Program structured?
EDA structured the Recompete Pilot Program as a two-phase competition. Each phase is released under its own Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Phase 1 focuses on planning and readiness, while Phase 2 (under a separate, upcoming NOFO) focuses on implementation funding.
What are the two things EDA will do in Phase 1?
In Phase 1, EDA will (1) award funded Strategy Development Grants and (2) approve Recompete Plans for selected regions.
What can an applicant apply for under Phase 1?
Applicants must decide what they are seeking under Phase 1. They can apply for a Strategy Development Grant, seek approval of a Recompete Plan, or pursue both at the same time.
What is a Strategy Development Grant?
A Strategy Development Grant is funded support provided in Phase 1 to help an area build a strong, comprehensive economic strategy.
Does Recompete Plan approval come with funding in Phase 1?
No. Recompete Plan approval does not come with funding in Phase 1.
Why would a region seek Recompete Plan approval if it is not funded in Phase 1?
Recompete Plan approval is described as a required prerequisite for competing for the larger Implementation funding that will be offered under Phase 2. A region that wants to be eligible for Phase 2 implementation dollars should, at minimum, apply in Phase 1 for Recompete Plan approval.
What is Phase 2 and how does it relate to Phase 1?
Phase 2 (covered under a separate upcoming NOFO) is where EDA plans to award Implementation funding to carry out the approved plan and execute the strategy. Phase 1 functions as the gateway by supporting strategy development and/or providing the plan approval needed to compete for Phase 2.
Is Phase 1 required to pursue Phase 2 Implementation funding?
Based on the information provided, Recompete Plan approval in Phase 1 is a required prerequisite for competing for Phase 2 Implementation funding.
What is the main purpose of making Phase 1 a gateway to Phase 2?
The structure is intended to ensure that Phase 2 applicants are not starting from scratch and that proposed investments are tied to a coherent, place-based plan for improving employment outcomes and economic resilience.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 11.040.
What types of activities does this opportunity cover?
The opportunity covers activities aligned with business and commerce, regional development, and related economic development work.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities).
Are any additional applicant types potentially eligible?
Yes. The NOFO indicates there may be additional eligible applicant types under an "Others" category, with specifics clarified in the full NOFO.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount for Phase 1?
Phase 1 lists an award ceiling of $750,000.
How many awards does EDA expect to make under Phase 1?
EDA expects to make around 20 awards in Phase 1.
Does the $750,000 ceiling apply to Recompete Plan approvals?
No. The ceiling primarily relates to Strategy Development Grant awards, because Recompete Plan approvals themselves are not funded under Phase 1.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 30, 2023.
What was the original closing date for Phase 1?
The original closing date was October 5, 2023.
Where must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted through EDA's Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) platform at sfgrants.eda.gov.
Can applications be submitted through Grants.gov?
No. As of April 6, 2023, applications for this opportunity are no longer accepted through Grants.gov and must be submitted through EDGE.
What is EDGE and why did EDA switch to it?
EDGE stands for the Economic Development Grants Experience. EDA states it is intended to streamline the full grants lifecycle by consolidating applications and post-award management into one system with better transparency, usability, and data quality.
Where can applicants find submission instructions?
Detailed submission instructions are provided in the full NOFO for this opportunity.
If a region wants to compete for Phase 2, what should it do in Phase 1?
Any region that wants to be eligible for Phase 2 implementation dollars should, at minimum, apply in Phase 1 for Recompete Plan approval (and may also apply for a Strategy Development Grant if desired).
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