EDA Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs)
U.S. Economic Development Administration
$15M–$75M (implementation)
Regional tech ecosystem coalitions backed by CHIPS Act
The Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act (2022), designates and funds regional coalitions of industry, universities, and government to build comparative advantages in critical and emerging technologies. Phase 1 designated 31 Tech Hubs in 2023. Phase 2 awarded $51M in Implementation Grants to 12 hubs in 2024. The program does not fund individual businesses directly — it funds the consortium developing a regional tech ecosystem. Small businesses participate as consortium partners and benefit from workforce pipelines and commercialization support.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $500,000 – $75,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Phase 2 Implementation Grants averaged approximately $38M–$45M per hub in the FY2024 round. Phase 1 strategy grants were…
- Deadline
- Phase 2 FY2024 competition closed; FY2025 NOFO for existing hubs closed February 18, 2026. Future implementation competition TBD pending congressional appropriations. Monitor eda.gov/funding and grants.gov CFDA 11.307.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- For prime applicant (consortium lead): must be a nonprofit, university, economic development organization, or government entity — not a for-profit business
- For consortium membership: for-profit businesses including SMBs may participate as consortium partners alongside universities, governments, and nonprofits
- Proposed hub must focus on a critical and emerging technology sector (semiconductors, AI, quantum, biotech, clean tech, cybersecurity, space, etc.)
- Consortium must demonstrate regional comparative advantage in the target technology area
- Non-federal cost share required from consortium members
- For SMBs seeking subgrants: each hub consortium sets its own subgrant eligibility criteria — contact your regional hub directly
- 31 designated Tech Hub regions announced Oct 2023 — being in a designated region increases access to future consortium subgrants
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Funds intermediaries, not businesses directly
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- R&D infrastructure and shared laboratory equipment
- Workforce development and skills training programs
- Technology commercialization and startup incubation activities
- Industry-university-government coordination and planning
- Technical assistance for SMBs in the tech ecosystem
- Subgrants to consortium member businesses for R&D activities
Ineligible expenses
- Business operating costs for non-consortium activities
- Direct profit-generating production unrelated to hub's tech focus
- Lobbying
- Costs not tied to building the regional tech innovation ecosystem
How to apply
-
1
Identify if you are in or near a designated Tech Hub region
Review EDA's map of 31 designated Tech Hubs at eda.gov/tech-hubs. If your business is in or near a designated hub, contact the hub consortium lead to express interest in participating as a partner or subgrantee. Hub leads are typically economic development organizations, universities, or industry associations.
~2 hrs
-
2
Join a consortium or engage with hub activities
Tech Hub benefits flow to SMBs through consortium membership: access to shared R&D infrastructure, workforce training programs, commercialization support, and subgrant opportunities. Engage with your regional hub's outreach activities now — Phase 2 implementation subgrants will begin flowing in 2025–2026.
~5 hrs
-
3
Monitor for Phase 3 or next-round competition (if not in a designated hub)
If not in a current hub region, monitor EDA for future competition rounds. When a new NOFO releases, work with your local economic development organization or university to build a consortium application — individual businesses cannot apply as prime applicants.
~3 hrs
SMBs don't apply directly — engage your regional hub consortium now. Subgrant and contract opportunities from Phase 2 implementation grants will flow in 2025–2026 through hub consortium organizations.
Deadline & timing
The Tech Hubs program authorized $10B over 5 years in the CHIPS Act but Congress has appropriated only $504M as of FY2024. Phase 1 designated 31 hubs (Oct 2023). Phase 2 Implementation Grants (12 hubs, $51M total) announced FY2024. Future rounds depend on further appropriations. Small businesses in designated hub regions should engage with their local hub consortium now — subgrant opportunities flow through the consortium once implementation funding lands. FY2025 supplemental NOFO for the 31 designated hubs (for planning and capacity activities) closed February 18, 2026. Phase 3 implementation competition timeline unknown — depends on FY2026+ appropriations.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.