21st Century Jobs Fund 2008 Business Plan Competition
October 8, 2008
Follow this link to view a summary of the 52 proposals that have been approved by the SEIC Board to move onto the oral interview phase of the competition.
Follow this link to view a list of the 17 awards approved by the SEIC board on October 8, 2008.
Welcome potential applicants, media and other interested parties to the one stop Web portal for:
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The most up to date information regarding the 2008 21st Century Jobs Fund Commercialization Business Plan Competition, including time lines and FAQs (listed below).
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The single portal for use of the Awards Management System to complete the application and submit a business plan per the requirements of the official competition RFP.
- Other useful tips and informational documents.
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The most up to date information and press releases related to the competition as well as links to past and current stories on the competition and the 21st Century Jobs Fund Program in general.
Some key highlights from this year's competition include:
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$30 million dedicated to the Business Plan Competition.
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Focused on for-profit companies that can demonstrate a viable, sustainable business opportunity with near term job creation-five years or less.
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Technology focus within advanced automotive, manufacturing and materials; alternative energy; homeland security and defense; and/or life sciences.
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Matching funds are required.
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Proposals are submitted electronically in the form of a 25-page or less business plan that can be attached as a pdf file.
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A $500 application fee is due at the time of proposal submission.
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Proposals will be evaluated by independent peer review experts on the four legislatively mandated criteria of: commercialization merit; personnel expertise; ability to leverage additional funds; and scientific and technical merit.
For more detailed highlights view this PDF file.
Official 2008 Competition RFP
Below is the official 2008 Competition RFP. All applicants should review the RFP thoroughly before proceeding with an application. There is also a 2008 Competition General Tips document provided below to give a higher level outline of competition basics.
Commercialization Business Plan RFP (PDF format)
2008 Competition General Tips (PDF format)
Competition Application
The Awards Management System (AMS) is the official tool for applying to the competition and submitting business plans per the requirements of the competition RFP. The AMS was designed to ease the burden and provide seamless connections between all useful information resources for applicants, as well as an easy to use interface for entering an application. Please read the RFP thoroughly before starting an application.
For quick reference before entering the AMS and starting the application, please use the AMS Quick Tips document provided below for useful information on how to use the system as well as overall flow related to entering the application and submitting a business plan. The tips include information on how to acquire technical support when using the AMS.
AMS Quick Tips (PDF format)
Apply Now (Link to AMS)
Quick Tips for Awardees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The deadline for submission of Competition-related questions has passed; however, Awards Management System tech support is still available at AMStechsupport@michigan.org.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has created an official 2008 21st Century Jobs Fund Business Plan Competition FAQs. We aim to answer questions or concerns sent to 21stcenturyjobs@michigan.org within 48 hours through a response posting on this section of the official competition Web site within the FAQs document.
The current deadline for competition or RFP related questions to the above email is June 23, 2008. No answers will be posted to the FAQs after June 25, 2008.
To support equitable treatment of applicants during the competition process, no questions or concerns will be answered directly via this email or the phone.
If your question or concern is not related to the 2008 21st Century Jobs Fund Business Plan Competition or RFP but is regarding the use of the Awards Management System software to enter your application, please refer to the Quick Tips document provided in the Application section of this portal for more information.
FAQs related to the RFP
Time Lines
The most up to date competition time line available. view time line (PDF format)
Media Section
To cover the latest regarding the competition, please use the materials below.
Key Points
9-April-08 Press Release: Granholm Announces 21CJF Competition
14-May-08 Press Release: Deadline Extended for 21CJF
Overall applicant summary and list of final applicants
Media contact:
Bridget Beckman
Public Relations Officer,
Marketing & Communications
517.335.4590
beckmanb1@michigan.org
Access to Useful Services for Applicants
There are a myriad of providers across the state that offer outstanding services to support early stage technology companies with everything from business plan writing to high level strategic and market plan assessments. These organizations are ready to help you with your business plan for this competition now. Follow this link to view an interactive map with more information about these providers and where they can be found: view map and list of SSPs