Oklahoma's EDGE: Economic Development Generating Excellence: EDGE Action Plan Executive Summary

LETTER TO APPLICANTS

TO: Prospective Applicants for Support from the EDGE Fund
FROM: Paul G. Risser, Executive Director
DATE: May 12, 2008
SUBJECT: Request for Pre-Proposals

The State of Oklahoma created the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) Fund as a public source dedicated to funding applied research and the development and commercialization of technology that will strengthen the State’s long-term economic growth.

As established by state statute (Title 62 O.S. Supp.2007 §47, §52), the purposes of the EDGE Fund are to:

expand the number of researchers, technicians, support services, and associated activity within the State,
develop and grow advanced technology companies in Oklahoma,
leverage additional Federal research grants and/or privately funded research in Oklahoma research institutions, and
improve the health status and quality of life for all Oklahomans.

Applicants eligible to receive EDGE funding are: (a) private or public Oklahoma institutions of higher education, (b) non-profit Oklahoma research foundations or other non-profit organizations, and (c) for-profit enterprises.

Requesting funding from the EDGE Policy Board is a two-step process. As described in this solicitation, Pre-Proposals are due by June 20, 2008. In July, the Policy Board will review the Pre-Proposals and then invite a limited number of these applicants to submit a full proposal, which will be due in September. Although the Policy Board will consider Pre-Proposals in any area, the 2008 focal areas are (a) aerospace, (b) agriculture, (c) biotechnology, (d) energy and (e) weather science.

The FY08 certified funding available for investment by the EDGE Policy Board is approximately $6.5 million. After June 30, 2008, the Board will receive a similar amount for FY09. The Board expects to allocate approximately $13 million in FY09, but may not commit all the funds in this round of proposals. The Policy Board has not established an upper or lower limit on the amount of funds that can be requested. However, these are expected to be substantial projects that will have an impact on Oklahoma’s economy. Preference is given to collaborative proposals among representatives of the public and private sectors.

Details of the EDGE Fund and for the submission of Pre-Proposals are provided from the EDGE Policy Board website, www.okedge.org. If further information is required, please contact the EDGE Policy Board Office, 405-319-8288 or EDGE@okedge.org.