1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
FY26 NOFO not yet published; check eda.gov for the next cycle
The EDA STEM Talent Challenge supports organizations creating and implementing STEM talent development strategies that complement their respective region's innovation economy, particularly in emerging and transformative sectors including artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced manufacturing and robotics, space exploration, bioscience, quantum information science, and agricultural technologies. The program strengthens regional innovation ecosystems by building STEM talent training pipelines to help communities prepare for AI-driven economic shifts, with $25 million redirected specifically for workforce AI funding.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “U.S. Economic Development Administration (Department of Commerce)” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and workforce development boards. Applicants must provide matching share equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost. Projects must demonstrate connection to a regional innovation economy and address emerging technology workforce needs. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $500,000 per award for 24-month workforce programs. Requires one-to-one matching funds (applicants must match each dollar requested with at least one dollar of applicant match). Part of $25 million in EDA workforce-specific AI funding. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is September 30, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
EDA STEM Talent Challenge for AI and Emerging Technology Workforce Development is sponsored by U.S. Economic Development Administration (Department of Commerce). The EDA STEM Talent Challenge supports organizations creating and implementing STEM talent development strategies that complement their respective region's innovation economy, particularly in emerging and transformative sectors including artificial intelligence and machine learn…
The EDA STEM Talent Challenge is a competitive grant program from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that funds organizations building STEM talent training systems for regional innovation economies, with a strong focus on emerging technology sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and aerospace. Awards of up to $500,000 support 24-month programs across four thematic areas: workforce forecasting (engaging regional entrepreneurs and innovators to assess and forecast talent needs), training and upskilling (career preparation for the technical and scientific workforce), talent attraction and retention, and ecosystem coordination. The program requires a 1:1 funding match from applicants. In the most recent round, EDA awarded 11 grants totaling $4.5 million. The EDA has also separately redirected $25 million in workforce-specific AI funding to help communities prepare for AI-driven economic shifts, signaling growing federal emphasis on AI workforce readiness. The STEM Talent Challenge operates in periodic competition rounds; prospective applicants should monitor the EDA website and subscribe to the EDA newsletter for upcoming deadlines.