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Innovate Alabama Network

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Policy Updates

INITIAL Interest forms due

OCTOBER 31 at 5PM CT (CLOSED)

IF ACCEPTED FOR THE NEXT ROUND, APPLICATIONS LAUNCH

OCTOBER 15

APPLICATIONS DUE

NOVEMBER 12 at 5PM CT

Questions

partners@innovatealabama.org

About

Innovate Alabama aims to catalyze innovation throughout Alabama by fostering three components of a healthy innovation ecosystem: people, places and resources.

The Innovate Alabama Network seeks to create a broad network of innovation-related programming, provide seed funding for innovative projects and encourage partnerships within the innovation ecosystem. The program is geared toward entities and initiatives that promote Innovate Alabama’s mission and three pillars.

Program Benefits

Innovate Alabama Network designees receive a small, one-time grant for acceptance.

Existing and prospective Innovate Alabama Network designees are also eligible to apply for seed funding for their innovative initiatives through the program’s Project Grant fund, which offers substantive grants.

Network Designation Grants

Network Designation Grants can be up to $250,000 and are awarded as a one-time payment upon acceptance into the network.
Designees gain ongoing access to the Innovate Alabama Network, which includes the use of the designated seal and other marketing materials to enhance their visibility and credibility.

Project Grants

For pending or current Network members, Project Grants provide up to $750,000 in one-time seed funding for specific innovation-related projects.
The funding is intended to support the development and implementation of innovative initiatives (not including operating expenses).

Economic Impact

112

Designees

$17M

Awarded

AL Counties Represented

Eligibility

To apply for the Innovate Alabama Network, applicants must showcase a commitment to supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic activity and align with at least one of four categories:

Communities

To qualify as a community, the applicant must be a:

A municipality in Alabama;
A county in Alabama; or
A federally recognized Native American tribe in Alabama

Entities

To qualify as an entity, the applicant must be a:

A qualified nonprofit validly existing and registered to do business in Alabama, with a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service evidencing its 501[c][3] status.

Educational Institutions

To qualify as an educational institute, the applicant must be a public or private university or college, accredited by any of the following accrediting institutions:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Council on Occupational Education (COE)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

Outdoor Recreation Organizations

To qualify as an Outdoor Recreation organization, the applicant must be:

A 501[c][3]nonprofit, municipality, county, or accredited educational institution in Alabama.
Committed to enhancing outdoor recreation, promoting a culture of outdoor lifestyle and supporting recreation-related entrepreneurship.

Applicants must also demonstrate a clear benefit to the local community and align with the program’s goals of expanding access to outdoor recreation and fostering economic growth through outdoor activities.

Application Process

The Innovate Alabama Network has a two-step application process with an optional third application for project-specific funding.

Step 1. Initial Interest Form

The Initial Interest Form (now closed) is a brief online form to indicate interest and preliminary eligibility. Questions will ask for a description of the organization, connections to innovation and overall alignment with Innovate Alabama’s goals and vision.

Step 2. Innovate Alabama Network Application

After eligibility is confirmed by a reviewing panel, eligible applicants will receive a more detailed Innovate Alabama Network Application, which is scored for alignment and contribution to Innovate Alabama’s vision to determine membership.

Questions will address organizational mission and vision, programmatic alignment with Innovate Alabama’s focus areas (access to capital, outdoor recreation, talent development), methods for measuring outcomes and impacts, and an inventory of available innovation assets.

Eligible applicants will receive a unique application link by email, as the application will not be accessible through the website.

Step 3. Project Grant Application

Available only to active Innovate Alabama Network members, this online application requires detailed information about an innovative initiative that aligns with Innovate Alabama’s goals. Questions will cover core activities, project objectives and strategies, alignment with Innovate Alabama’s goals, a budget plan with funding justifications, and estimated project impacts and economic benefits (such as jobs created). For prospective Network applicants, please note that project grant application review is contingent upon an approved Network application. Should your application be turned down, you’re ineligible for a project grant.

Innovate Alabama network members will receive a unique application link by email, as the application will not be accessible through the website.

All three applications are scored by a board of reviewers who will grade how strongly responses demonstrate alignment with the Innovate Alabama Network’s three focus areas: people, places and resources.

Other criteria include project feasibility and potential impact. Applications are scored out of 100 points with higher scores indicating stronger alignment with Innovate Alabama’s priorities and greater impact potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the primary focus areas of the Network?

The Network has three core priority areas to ensure a comprehensive approach to fostering statewide innovation:

Expand Access to Capital: This focus area aims to increase funding opportunities and expand access to programming resources for startups and small innovative businesses. Access to Capital programming supports grants, loans, and investment programs that facilitate financial growth and sustainability, ensuring that innovative ideas have the necessary financial backing to thrive.

Develop and Retain Talent: This area is dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining skilled professionals within Alabama. It involves educational initiatives, workforce training, mentorship programs, and partnerships with local educational institutions to build a strong talent pipeline that supports the state’s innovation economy.

Enhance Outdoor Recreation and Lifestyle: This focus area seeks to improve and expand outdoor recreational facilities and infrastructure. By promoting community engagement and enhancing the quality of life for residents, this initiative supports projects that develop parks, trails, and other outdoor spaces that foster innovation and collaboration.

2. My for-profit company is doing innovative work in Alabama – can I apply for the Innovate Alabama Network?

For-profit companies are currently ineligible for the Innovate Alabama Network. The Network accepts applications from nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and communities.

3. I received notice that a new funding round has begun and I’m interested in submitting a project for consideration under the Project Grant program. How do I apply?

Project Grant Application: Existing (or prospective) Network members are eligible to apply for a Project Grant, which is seed funding for a specific innovative initiative. The Project Grant application requires detailed information about the initiative, including core activities, objectives, strategies, alignment with Innovate Alabama’s goals, justification for the funding request, budget plan, and estimated project impacts and economic benefits, such as job creation.

Project grants are available to Network Designees (existing or pending) for innovation-related projects. Applicants may only receive a Project Grant once for a given project; requests for multi-year support will be declined.

Existing members will be sent a direct email with more information as well as a link redirecting organizations to the application form.

Prospective members that are currently applying for Network membership will be sent a link to the Project Grant application once Innovate Alabama has confirmed preliminary eligibility based your response to the Initial Interest Form, the first step in the application process. Then, your organization will be asked to complete both the Network Application as well as the Project Grant application. Both applications are required to receive a Project Grant. If Innovate Alabama deems our organization is ineligible for the Network, your Project Grant application will not be reviewed nor considered for funding.

4. I’m already a Network member, but I received information about the new round of Network funding. Do I have to re-apply?

No. If you are already a Network member, you do not need to resubmit an Initial Interest Form or a Network Application. However, as a Network member, you are invited to submit a Project Grant application to receive additional one-time seed funding for a specific innovative initiative.

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