State Seeks Agency to Lead 2008 21st Century Jobs Fund Competition Peer Review Process

Governor Granholm and MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito today announced a RFP issued by the SEIC Board to administer the independent peer review process for a second round 21st Century Jobs Fund Commercialization Competition

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James C. Epolito today announced a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board (SEIC Board) to administer the independent peer review process for a second round 21st Century Jobs Fund Commercialization Competition.

“The 21st Century Jobs Fund is the cornerstone of the most comprehensive and aggressive strategy in the nation to transform our economy, grow new high-tech companies and create good-paying jobs for our citizens,” Granholm said. “Just as we are working to create jobs today, this is an important part our plan to create jobs tomorrow.”

The peer review service provider will oversee the evaluation of proposals based on commercialization merit, scientific and technical merit, management team strengths and the ability to leverage additional funding. Other duties would include managing applications, assigning reviewers to specific proposals, scoring proposals through the MEDC’s electronic award management system, and making recommendations for funding.Preference will be given to organizations that can demonstrate the ability to recruit experts from, but not limited to, Michigan that possess Michigan expertise, national perspectives and global views to the process and manage conflicts of interest between applicants, reviewers and the SEIC Board. 

“The SEIC Board is focusing its resources in this year’s competition on finding the most competitive funding opportunities for sustainable technology businesses with near-term job creation potential,” Epolito said. “The peer review service provider will be an important part of our efforts to identify companies that diversify Michigan’s economy and create jobs.”

The RFP is available online at www.MichiganBusiness.org along with specifics on the application process. Proposals must be submitted electronically and are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on April 16, 2008.

Questions regarding the RFP may be submitted to contracts&grants@michigan.org. Questions must be received by email no later than 2:00 p.m. EST on April 4, 2008.

The SEIC Board is responsible for administering grants and loans to support competitive-edge technology investments under the 21st Century Jobs Fund. The first round of funding resulted in 78 organizations receiving $126.3 million in awards.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.