2023 STEM Talent Challenge

Overview

The STEM Talent Challenge aims to build STEM talent training systems to strengthen regional innovation economies. This competition seeks applications from eligible applicants that are creating and implementing STEM talent development strategies that complement their region’s innovation economy, particularly as such strategies relate to critical, emerging technologies and transformative industries such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, semiconductor fabrication, advanced manufacturing and robotics, space exploration and commerce, broadband expansion, bioscience, quantum information science, climate technologies, the built environment, and aqua- and agricultural technologies.

Applicants should leverage partnerships with local and regional innovation leaders, including technology centers, business incubators and accelerators, community colleges, and STEM industry leaders such as technology startups, advanced manufacturers, life science businesses, and other similar or analogous entities, based on the specific context of the applicants’ respective regional innovation economy. Projects should be closely tied to the needs of the regional innovation economy and its employers and should aim to build a talent pipeline for entrepreneurs, startups, and other innovation leaders, as well as place new employees into immediate job openings.

Projects should aim to identify opportunities in industries with potential for new, STEM-centric, quality jobs and to expand and empower the innovation economy workforce with a focus on employer engagement. Examples include:

• assessing and forecasting current and future talent needs and developing collaborative, work-based programs with regional employers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and the organizations that support them; • building a highly skilled STEM workforce and connecting it to technical opportunities that foster professional development and provide continuing advanced skills training to meet employer demand;
• securing and offering wrap-around services for workers to participate in skills training programs (e.g., transportation, childcare, and career coaching/navigation services); 
• establishing durable collaborations among entrepreneurs, industry leaders and employers, educational organizations, established corporations, economic or workforce development organizations, labor unions, and the public sector to develop access to skilled workers and demand-driven workforce pipelines for the innovation economy; 
• partnering with innovative employers, training providers, and/or workforce organizations to develop a strategy to develop or otherwise lead to a Registered Apprenticeship program that meets the standards set by Department of Labor; and 
• placing job seekers, including those from underserved populations, into immediate quality job openings with regional employers in need of STEM talent, increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields.

EDA encourages efforts to reach historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing labor market barriers such as persons with disabilities, disconnected youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with past criminal records, including justice-impacted and reentry participants, serving trainees participating in the SNAP, TANF, and WIC, and veterans and military spouses. Applicants should demonstrate how they will leverage regional strengths, capabilities, and competitive advantages and should avoid the duplication of already existing initiatives within the applicant’s organization or by other organizations or consortia in the relevant region.

Applicants must provide matching share equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost; i.e., applicants must match each dollar requested with at least one dollar of applicant match. See Section C.3. (p. 12) of this NOFO.

EDA anticipates awards will typically have a period of performance of 24 months with an estimated start date of November 1, 2023.

EDA plans to conduct an informational webinar for this NOFO and expects to make available scheduling information and a link to a recording here.