Eligibility/Funding Criteria

Eligibility:  Eligible applicants must be within the 23 counties included in the WIRED region.  Eligible applicants include but are not limited to public and private education institutions (K-20), Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Authorities, Workforce Development Boards, Research Institutes, Non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations. 

Criteria for Evaluation:  Projects will be scored against the following criteria.  Each criterion is valued at 25 points for a total of 100 possible points with five additional points possible for demonstrating active partnerships.

Sustainable:  Preference will be given to activities that show potential for sustainability beyond the one-year period of performance and the three-year period of the VIA grant.

Industry-driven:  Projects funded under the Initiative must meet needs of industry.  In the case of programs at the high school or community college levels, projects should also provide STEM skills that will allow students to move into careers in the selected industry clusters.

Replicable:  Successful projects should be replicable to other parts of the region and/or country.

Quantifiable Project Outcomes:  Applicants must demonstrate a results-oriented approach by describing the proposed outcome measures relevant to measuring success and the long-term impact of the project.  Grant awardees will be required to submit quarterly progress reports to the VIA Office based on these performance measures in compliance with US Department of Labor guidelines.

*****BONUS POINTS*****

Applicants may receive up to 5 additional points for projects that incorporate active partners such as cluster businesses, workforce regions, school districts, community colleges, universities, economic development offices, etc.