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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) 5/89 UNIVERSITY CENTER PROGRAM PROGRAM GOALS Grants and cooperative agreements awarded under the University Center Program provide seed money to help colleges and universities establish and implement e~onomic development programs to benefit distressed areas. The Centers established under this program must become self-sufficient after seven years of EDA funding. PROJECT TYPES/ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Proposals funded under the basic University Center Program must focus on providing technical assistance which addresses the economic development needs of the Center's service area and is not available from other sources. Eligible applicants for grants or cooperative agreements include public and private colleges and universities. The sponsoring institution must significantly increase its financial support each year. Occasionally, shorter term assistance to promote or demonstrate new roles in economic development is provided to colleges and universities (including those not participating in the basic program) and other appropriate organizations. SELECTION CRITERIA Priority consideration for funding is given to proposals which: 0 focus on areas of significant economic distress; 0 address the development needs of the service area; 0 complement, rather than duplicate, the efforts of other units such as Small Business and Minority Business Development Centers; 0 provide evidence that the sponsoring institution is strongly committed to the program. FUNDING LEVELS (000) FY 8 7: $5,000 Average 1988 grant: $88 FY 88: $4,800 Range of 1988 grants: $65 to $100 FY 89: $4,800 APPLICATION PROCESS Institutions seeking initial funding should send a letter of inter- est to the EDA Regional Office with a copy to the Economic Develop- ment Representative (EDR) for the area. The Regional Office can provide information on contacting the EDR, who will explain the program in more detail. Following proposal review, the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development decides which institutions will be invited to submit formal applications. Average time from application submission to a final decision for initial funding is normally about three-and-one-half months. Institutions already receiving support are nctified of the application procedures for renewal funding.