INTRODUCTION TO CLUSTER COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT – SPECIAL FUNDINFORMATION SHEETWHAT IS THE CCP SPECIAL FUND?
The Cluster Competitiveness Program Special Fund provides cost-shared grants to improve the ability of industry clusters to become more competitive. The grants are intended to add sustainable capacity to produce higher value products and services, improve quality, strengthen linkages with suppliers and customers (both domestic and international), and adopt technology for improved productivity. Individual grants typically range from $20,000 to $250,000.WHAT TYPES OF GRANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED?
Grants which enable not just individual companies, but instead, clusters of companies or entire value chains – from input suppliers and processors to distributors – to improve productivity, increase sales and/or increase employment will be considered. These may include grants for physical infrastructure, e.g., machinery or… technical assistance to build capacity in moving clusters toward international certifications in production, service or quality standards. The Grants will be used for the following types of activities across each of the CCP clusters to support activities that increase competitiveness:
The grant ideas may be selected for funding in two ways:
The Cluster Competitiveness Program Special Fund provides cost-shared grants to improve the ability of industry clusters to become more competitive. The grants are intended to add sustainable capacity to produce higher value products and services, improve quality, strengthen linkages with suppliers and customers (both domestic and international), and adopt technology for improved productivity. Individual grants typically range from $20,000 to $250,000.WHAT TYPES OF GRANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED?
Grants which enable not just individual companies, but instead, clusters of companies or entire value chains – from input suppliers and processors to distributors – to improve productivity, increase sales and/or increase employment will be considered. These may include grants for physical infrastructure, e.g., machinery or… technical assistance to build capacity in moving clusters toward international certifications in production, service or quality standards. The Grants will be used for the following types of activities across each of the CCP clusters to support activities that increase competitiveness:
- Procurement of equipment or services to strengthen cluster or value chain infrastructure needs.
- Procurement of services or training to support the adoption of international production and /or quality assurance standards.
- Participation in training to upgrade competence in technical or managerial process.
- Other as may be designated to strengthen CCP support value chains and clusters.
- Business associations and national business groups/forums
- Business support services providers
- Universities and training institutions
- Local governments
The grant ideas may be selected for funding in two ways:
- CCP and its partner institutions identify a need. The need is discussed with relevant cluster members and stakeholders. If consensus is reached that the need exists and the proposed solution addresses the need, an institution will be selected to write brief concept paper. The concept paper will describe the problem, the proposed solution, how the solution will be sustainable and the expected impact.
- Or an institution (see eligible institutions above) may develop a concept paper on its own for a grant and submit an unsolicited concept paper to CCP. The concept paper will describe the problem, the proposed solution, how the solution will be sustainable and the expected impact..read more
