 Commerce Implementation Update
Good afternoon,
The purpose of this bi-weekly digest is to share information regarding Department of Commerce announcements and implementation updates, so you are aware of the funding and engagement opportunities available to your constituents.
We hope you find this information useful. If you have any questions, please email CommerceImplementationUpdates@doc.gov or call (202) 482-3663.
 Susie Feliz
Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Announcements
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A Milestone for Research in Puerto Rico: Opening of a Federal Statistical Research Data Center
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces First CHIPS Commercial Fabrication Facilities Award with Polar Semiconductor, Establishing Independent American Foundry
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Biden-Harris Administration Approves Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Arkansas’ “Internet for All” Initial Proposal
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Biden-Harris Administration Launches NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence with Expected $250 Million Investment
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Biden-Harris Administration to Invest up to $100 Million to Accelerate R&D and AI Technologies for Sustainable Semiconductor Materials
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G7 Announces Industry Guidance on Preventing Evasion of Export Controls and Sanctions Imposed on Russia
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International Trade Administration and Minority Business Development Agency Sign Collaborative Statement to Increase Support for Underserved U.S. Businesses
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International Trade Administration Announces Efforts to Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Trade in the Digital Economy
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NTIA Native Entity Capacity & Planning Grant Program Application Window
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Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Hosts U.S. Department of Commerce’s First-Ever National Disability Leadership Summit
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U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Proposed Rule to Secure Connected Vehicle Supply Chains from Foreign Adversary Threats
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U.S. Department of Commerce Updates Validated End User (VEU) Program for Eligible Data Centers to Bolster U.S. National Security, Promote Export Control Compliance
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U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Continues to Invest Over $158.5 Million in Communities Across the Country
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U.S. National Science Foundation and Department of Commerce Announce a New $30 Million Funding Opportunity, Funded by the CHIPS & Science Act, to Prepare Talent for Semiconductor Jobs Nationwide
Funding Opportunities
- FY25 NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Full Proposal Competition
- FY25 NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
- FY25 NOAA Coastal Zone Management Projects of Special Merit Competition
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Milestone for Research in Puerto Rico: Opening of a Federal Statistical Research Data Center
In early September, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the official opening of the Puerto Rico Federal Statistical Research Data Center (PR FSRDC), a monumental achievement that marks a new era for data-driven research and innovation in the territory. This center, which officially opens this fall, is a bold step forward in our mission to expand the reach and impact of statistical data in Puerto Rico.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces First CHIPS Commercial Fabrication Facilities Award with Polar Semiconductor, Establishing Independent American Foundry
On September 24th, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its first award under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities of up to $123 million in direct funding to Polar Semiconductor (Polar). The award follows the previously signed preliminary memorandum of terms and the completion of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s due diligence. The award will expand and modernize the company’s manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Minnesota. The U.S. Department of Commerce will distribute the funds based on Polar’s completion of project milestones.
Biden-Harris Administration Approves Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Arkansas’ “Internet for All” Initial Proposals
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Arkansas’ Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. This approval enables Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence with Expected $250 Million Investment
On September 25th, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the launch of the National Semiconductor Technology Center’s (NSTC) Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE), making a decisive step toward solving one of the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. semiconductor industry – workforce development. As the world experiences an unprecedented demand for advanced semiconductors, America’s determination to remain a global leader in this critical technology hinges on maintaining a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. In doing so, they will build on the Administration’s existing work to connect Americans to good-paying jobs created by the President’s Investing in America agenda—including launching nine workforce hubs across the country.
Biden-Harris Administration to Invest up to $100 Million to Accelerate R&D and AI Technologies for Sustainable Semiconductor Materials
On October 2nd, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to announce an open competition demonstrating how AI can assist in developing new sustainable semiconductor materials and processes that meet industry needs and can be designed and adopted within five years. For the U.S. semiconductor industry to flourish in the long-term, it must be able to develop innovative and commercially competitive technologies to sustainably produce materials and manufacture chips in a way that protects the environment and local communities.
G7 Announces Industry Guidance on Preventing Evasion of Export Controls and Sanctions Imposed on Russia
On September 24th, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (the G7) published, for the first time ever, joint guidance for industry on preventing evasion of the export controls and sanctions imposed on Russia.
International Trade Administration and Minority Business Development Agency Sign Collaborative Statement to Increase Support for Underserved U.S. Businesses
On September 26th, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago and Deputy Under Secretary for the Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette signed a joint statement on strategic and operational collaboration to strengthen coordination between the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in support of underserved U.S. businesses.
International Trade Administration Announces Efforts to Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Trade in the Digital Economy
On September 20th, the International Trade Administration (ITA) announced a series of new initiatives to advance U.S. competitiveness and trade in the digital economy. These initiatives will support policy advocacy in international engagements, provide tailored resources for U.S. businesses to leverage, and equip ITA’s digital attachés with applied experience to empower them to be stronger advocates for U.S. commercial interests in foreign markets and help strengthen U.S. leadership in the digital economy.
NTIA Native Entity Capacity & Planning Grant Program Application Window
On September 25th, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announces the opening of the application window for funding for Native Entities as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Digital Equity Capacity and Planning Grant programs.
Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Hosts U.S. Department of Commerce’s First-Ever National Disability Leadership Summit
On September 17th, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships, in partnership with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), held the U.S. Department of Commerce’s first-ever National Disability Leadership Summit.
U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Proposed Rule to Secure Connected Vehicle Supply Chains from Foreign Adversary Threats
On September 23rd, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would prohibit the sale or import of connected vehicles integrating specific pieces of hardware and software, or those components sold separately, with a sufficient nexus to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or Russia.
U.S. Department of Commerce Updates Validated End User (VEU) Program for Eligible Data Centers to Bolster U.S. National Security, Promote Export Control Compliance
On September 30th, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the expansion of the Validated End User (VEU) program to include data centers. This update will contribute to the development of a trusted ecosystem for the responsible use of advanced computing and artificial intelligence (AI). This new license exception is an element of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader strategy to ensure the United States leads the way in responsible AI innovation and development.
U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Continues to Invest Over $158.5 Million in Communities Across the Country
From September 23rd – October 4th, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced over $158.5 million in EDA grants:
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$15.7 Million Investment to Boost Workforce Development and Make Infrastructure Improvements in Florida
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$11.1 Million Investment to Expand Workforce Development and Strengthen Infrastructure in West Virginia
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$11 Million Investment to Support Healthcare Workforce Development in Greenwood, South Carolina
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$9 Million Investment to Support the Automotive Manufacturing Sector and Promote Small Business Development in Kentucky
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$5.3 Million Investment for Building Renovations to Support Workforce Development in Tennessee
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For more information about EDA’s recent awards, please follow this link.
U.S. National Science Foundation and Department of Commerce Announce a New $30M Funding Opportunity, Funded by the CHIPS & Science Act, to Prepare Talent for Semiconductor Jobs Nationwide
On September 27th, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Commerce (DOC) announced a $30 million funding opportunity, as part of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act that was signed into law by the Biden-Harris Administration, to establish the Network Coordination Hub that will manage the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) and lead its national strategy to train skilled workers for good-paying jobs needed in the U.S. semiconductor and microelectronics industry over the next decade. The Hub will be managed by NSF in close coordination with the DOC.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FY25 Saltonstall-Kennedy Full Proposal Competition
The Saltonstall-Kennedy Act established a fund (known as the S-K fund) used by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries, including, but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated business infrastructures (see section IV, F; Funding Restrictions). Under this authority, grants and cooperative agreements are made on a competitive basis (subject to availability of funding) to assist in carrying out projects to expand domestic and foreign markets related to U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries. The term “U.S. fisheries” refers to any marine fishery (including the Great Lakes) that encompasses commercial, recreational, charter, subsistence, wild capture, and aquaculture that is, or may be, engaged in by citizens or nationals of the United States or other eligible applicants. The objective of the S-K Research and Development Program, referred to throughout this document as the S-K Competitive Grant Program, is to promote U.S. fisheries by assisting the fishing community to address marketing and research needs. The term “fishing community” means harvesters, marketers, growers, processors, recreational fishermen, charter fishermen, fishermen, and persons providing them with goods and services.
FY25 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking applications for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program from individuals, particularly women and members of minority groups, who, due to financial constraints, may otherwise not be able to pursue an advanced degree in the scientific disciplines supported by this program.
FY25 Coastal Zone Management Projects of Special Merit Competition
The purpose of this document is to advise eligible applicants that NOAA is soliciting proposals for competitive funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)’s Enhancement Program Projects of Special Merit, authorized under Section 309 of the CZMA (16 U.S.C. §1456b). The objective of Section 309 assistance is to encourage each State or Territory with a federally-approved coastal management program (CMP) to continually improve its program in specified areas of national importance. The intent of Projects of Special Merit (PSM) funding is to offer CMPs the opportunity to develop innovative projects that further their approved enhancement area strategies and focus on the following national enhancement area priorities: Coastal Hazards, Ocean and Great Lakes Resources, and Wetlands. In order to apply for this funding opportunity, CMPs must be approved by NOAA pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. §1455) and have an approved 2021-2025 Section 309 Assessment and Strategy. Additionally, CMPs can only apply for priorities for which they have a corresponding approved strategy. Coastal Zone Management Program Regulations at 15 C.F.R. Part 923 apply to this Announcement, and program policies and procedures are further implemented through the provisions in this announcement.
Ongoing Funding Opportunities
For a full list of all open funding opportunities through the Department of Commerce, please visit our Grant.gov landing page.
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