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11.312 RESEARCH AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

FEDERAL AGENCY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AUTHORIZATION

Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, Public Law 118-373, 42 U.S.C. 3147.

OBJECTIVES

To assist in the determination of causes of excessive unemployment and underemployment in various areas and regions of the Nation. To assist in the formulation and implementation of national, State, and local programs that will raise income levels and otherwise produce solutions to the problems resulting from the above conditions. To evaluate the effectiveness of approaches and techniques employed to alleviate economic distress. Aids the long range economic development of areas with severe unemployment and low family income problems; aids in the development of public facilities and private enterprise to help create new, permanent jobs.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS

Funding is for research (including evaluative research), training and EDA program evaluations to carry out the objectives of the program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant Eligibility

Most research and evaluation recipients are colleges, universities and other research institutions. Grants may not be awarded to individuals or for profit organizations or firms to start, expand a private business.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Projects are intended to provide data on the effectiveness of economic development programs and projects, assist in solving economic development problems, or respond to economic development opportunities.

Credentials/Documentation

Qualifications of researchers are considered during the proposal and application review process. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in the proposed area of study.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication procedures and time frames are set forth in the Federal Register Notice of Funding Availability. Applicants should be aware that these notices may be general or very specific in the topics for which they solicit proposals. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applicants whose proposals are selected for further consideration will be given formal instructions and all application materials. This program is subject to provisions of 15 CFR Part 29b for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations and of 15 CFR Part 24 for State, local and Indian Tribal governments. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education, with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, and with OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations.

Award Procedure

The Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Department of Commerce, approves Research and Evaluation grants.

Deadlines

Dates are published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Applications are generally approved or disapproved within 2 months of receipt of a complete application.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Formula and Matching Requirements

Usually waived.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Varies, but usually a 1 year period. Funds are released as required and justified.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

Reports

Grantees must complete Standard Form 270 to receive disbursements. Progress reports are required prior to making subsequent disbursement and shall be submitted in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit, and Commercial Organizations," and 15 CFR Part 24, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," as applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. States, local governments, and nonprofit organizations that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year.

Records

All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or subgrantees pertaining to the award must remain available to the Federal Government for a minimum of 3 years after completion of the project or submission of the final financial status report, whichever is later.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Account Identification

13-2050-0-1-452.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 04 $495,000; FY 05 est $488,388; and FY 06 $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In fiscal year 2004, grants and cooperative agreements ranged from $12,000 to $209,000. The average EDA support was $114,219.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In fiscal year 2004, 4 projects were funded.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE

13 CFR 307.9 - 307.12 and 48 CFR Part 31.

INFORMATION CONTACTS

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

For Research and Evaluation grants, contact EDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of External Affairs and Communication, 1401 Constitution Ave NW, HCHB Room 7822, Washington DC 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-3566.

Web Site Address

http://www.eda.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS

Evaluation of the Impact of Revolving Loan Fund Investments; Technology Infrastructure Needs in America's Distressed Communities; Role of Universities in Industry Cluster Development.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS

(1) Does not depend on further EDA or other federal assistance; (2) Strengthens local economic development capacity; (3) Benefits severely distressed areas; (4) Helps diversify distressed economies; (5) Demonstrates innovative approaches to economic development.