EDA Tech Hubs

The NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation is working to strategize, coordinate, facilitate, and support NC-based consortia that plan to submit a Tech Hubs Phase 1 application.

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The mission of the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation is
to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians
through advancing science, technology, and innovation. 

To achieve this mission, the Office develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry.

As staff to the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, and working with organizations across the state, it identifies and communicates emerging opportunities in science and technology and prepares and publishes analyses outlining the competitive position of North Carolina’s businesses and research institutions in these areas.

The NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation conducts tactical programs (in the form of grant programs), strategic programs, and policy research & reports to advance economic growth in the state.

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The U.S. Economic Development Adminstration's (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional technology- and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. For more details, see the EDA's Tech Hubs website.

The Tech Hubs program will invest directly in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers in approximately 10 years while catalyzing the creation of good jobs for American workers at all skill levels, both equitably and inclusively.

EDA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on May 12, 2023 for Phase 1 of the Tech Hubs Program. Applications are due by August 15, 2023. Organizations interested in submitting an application should familiarize themselves with the details of the NOFO.

If you are interested in the Tech Hubs opportunity and would like to be kept up to date on initiatives across the state, please complete the brief form linked here to be added to the Department of Commerce’s contact list and so that we can know more about your interest in the Tech Hubs opportunity. 

The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation offers the following grant programs to help fund innovative science and technology companies in the state:

One North Carolina Small Business Program Logo

One North Carolina Small Business Program

  • The SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program provides funding to help NC businesses apply for federal Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.    
     
  • The SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program awards matching funds to NC businesses who have received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR award. The SBIR and STTR programs help small businesses develop and commercialize innovative new technologies.

To see the latest program solicitations, apply to the program, submit a report, or find information about the program in general, see One North Carolina Small Business Program. 

To learn about the impacts of the program, see Program Impacts & Success Stories and the latest press release on awarded grants: 65 North Carolina Companies Awarded Grants for Innovative Research and Development (September 7, 2023).

The Office of Science, Technology & Innovation produces research and reports that focus on both innovation and strategy, and is responsible for producing the state's primary innovation barometer, Tracking Innovation. Recent reports from the Office include:

Innovation

NC Innovation Index Advancing Defense Innovation

Tracking Innovation PDF First Page
Advancing Defense Innovation PDF First Page
See Press Release See Press Release 

 

University Innovation Council Innovation-to-Jobs Working Group

University Innovation Council
Innovation to Jobs

See more innovation reports.
 

Strategy

Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership Clean Energy and Clean Transportation

Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership PDF
Clean Energy and Clean Transportation PDF

 

Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey NC In the Next Tech Tsunami

Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey PDF
NC in the Next Tech Tsunami
See Press Release See Press Release

See more strategy reports.
 

A comprehensive list of the Office's policy research reports and files can be found here.

Innovation Hubs are dedicated spaces that bring together researchers, innovators, businesses, and entrepreneurs to fuel the advancement of science and technology. These Hubs serve as epicenters of innovation, research, and product commercialization. They also serve as anchors supporting the growth of local and regional innovation economies, providing high-wage careers as well as supplying our country and the world with novel solutions to our greatest threats.

Areas of focus and expertise include: Additional Areas of focus and expertise:
Advanced Agriculture & Nutrition Alternative & Renewable Energy
Advanced Manufacturing & Precision Metrology Biomedical & Health Sciences
Computer Science, Information Technology & Data Analytics Environmental Sciences
Marine Biotechnology Motorsports & Automotive Engineering
Nanoscience & Nanoengineering Pharmaceutical Research & Development

    North Carolina Innovation Hubs are spread across the state and range from traditional Science Parks to urban Innovation Districts with immersive mixed-use business, commercial, and residential development. 

    Interactive Map

    The map below provides links to the most prominent science-based innovation hubs in North Carolina.
    For best viewing, open the map in full screen.

    The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation conducts strategic programs on specific, targeted programmatic activities to advance innovation:

    InnovateNC is a private-public partnership between Forward Cities, a national learning collaborative of communities committed to inclusive innovation, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation, that helps communities and regions in North Carolina expand their innovation economy and foster greater economic inclusion.

    Southeast Energy Innovation Collaborative LogoThe Southeast Energy Innovation Collaborative is a partnership with the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation, E4 Carolinas and other energy organizations to advance innovation within the energy industry. Click here to see the initial report from the Collaborative.

    The North Carolina Opportunities in the Data Economy (NCODE) is joint project between the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation and the National Consortium for Data Science to explore opportunities to advance innovation within the data science industry. Click here to see the report from this effort.

    Executive Staff

    John Hardin, Ph.D.
    Executive Director
    919-814-4639
    jhardin@commerce.nc.gov

    David Kaiser
    Deputy Director
    919-814-4641
    david.kaiser@commerce.nc.gov

    Chris Schmidt
    Grants Manager
    919-814-4668
    chris.schmidt@commerce.nc.gov

    Alexander Costantini
    North Carolina STEM Policy Fellow
    919-814-4763
    alexander.costantini@commerce.nc.gov

    Katie Hopkins
    North Carolina Policy Intern
    katie.hopkins@commerce.nc.gov

     

    NC STI Twitter AccountFollow the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation on Twitter at @NCSTI.

    The resources below represent key components of North Carolina's science, technology, and innovation-based ecosystem.

    Government Departments & Offices

    Business & Entrepreneurship Support

    Associations, Institutes, & Think Tanks

    Educational Organizations & Centers

    Science Museums

    Research Parks