This Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO or Announcement)announces the anticipated availability of funding for the MBDA Business Center ("Center") program, and solicits competitive applications for operators of MBDA Business Centers in (5) five locations. MBDA Business Centers are established to provide technical assistance and business development services. The technical assistance and business development services are provided through federal financial assistance awards to generate increased financing and contract opportunities for minority business enterprises (MBEs).
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) will provide Federal assistance to support innovative projects seeking to promote and ensure the inclusion and use of minority enterprises. This Announcement is a mechanism to encourage new activities, education, outreach, innovative projects or sponsorships that are not addressed through other MBDA programs.
MBDA has established key priorities designed to overcome the unique challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA is now initiating new approaches to serve MBEs that compliment Presidential priorities and U.S. Department of Commerce goals. These program priorities are separated according to the following 14 initiatives:
Access to Capital
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Project
Aquaculture
Disaster Readiness
Disaster Recovery
Entrepreneurship Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Persons
Global Minority Women Economic Empowerment Initiative
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiative
Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative
Research
Space Commerce
Sustainable Business Model
Technology Transfer and Commercialization
Virtual Business Center