Accelerate R2 Network Challenge - FINAL | EDA HDQ OIE 2020 2006301

Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2020 2006301

The Accelerate R2 Network Challenge - FINAL is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The core goal is to stand up a strategic, nationwide network (or multiple connected networks) of organizations focused on solving disaster response and resiliency (R2) challenges through innovative technologies. In practical terms, the program is designed to create an organized national ecosystem that helps move promising R2-related ideas out of the lab or prototype stage and into real-world use by first responders, emergency managers, and resiliency practitioners.

The challenge emphasizes building a coordinated network that supports the full innovation pipeline for R2 technologies. That includes connecting and enabling innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors so they can more effectively develop, validate, finance, and deploy transformative tools for disaster response and long-term resilience. Rather than funding a single technology build, the opportunity is oriented toward infrastructure for innovation: partnerships, programming, and coordination mechanisms that speed commercialization and adoption in the response and resiliency markets, where procurement pathways, field testing, and end-user requirements can be difficult to navigate without a strong support structure.

Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which typically means the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement during performance (for example, coordination, shared planning, or ongoing collaboration), as opposed to a more hands-off grant. The activity category is regional development (CFDA 11.020), but the stated intent is national in scope, reflecting an emphasis on building an interconnected, nationwide network of organizations rather than a single local or narrowly regional effort.

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and anticipates making one award, indicating a competitive selection for a single lead applicant (or lead organization partnering with others) to organize and operate the network effort. Eligibility is described as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which signals that applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the specific eligible entity types and any special conditions, such as whether consortia, nonprofits, universities, industry-led partnerships, or other organizations are allowed or preferred.

Key dates and submission instructions are clearly spelled out. The opportunity was created on October 18, 2019, with an original closing date of March 11, 2020. Applicants were strongly encouraged, though not required, to submit a Letter of Intent by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 8 (as stated in the announcement), and a full application was required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 11 (as stated). Applications submitted after the deadline would not be reviewed. Submission was limited to electronic applications through Grants.gov, and applicants were directed to follow the detailed instructions in Section D of the NOFO, including formatting, required attachments, and the specific steps needed to successfully transmit an application through the portal.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as an attempt to accelerate the national disaster tech and resilience innovation ecosystem by funding a single, coordinating backbone organization (or led network) that can convene key players, reduce friction between inventors and end users, and help high-impact response and resiliency technologies reach operational deployment faster and more reliably.

• The Department of Commerce in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerate R2 Network Challenge - FINAL" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.020.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 18, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 11, 2020 Applicants are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit a Letter of Intent by 1159pm Eastern Time on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019. Applicants must submit a Full Application by 1159 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2019. Full Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Full Application submissions will only be accepted electronically through www.grants.gov (Grants.gov). Applicants are advised to read the application carefully and submission information provided in Section D (p. 8) of this NOFO.. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for EDA HDQ OIE 2020 2006301

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