R.I. knowledge-economy grants available

PROVIDENCE – The Innovation Providence Implementation Council is accepting applications for grants to fund projects that will bolster Rhode Island’s knowledge economy, particularly in the health care and research-and-design sectors.

The Greater Providence Chamber Foundation and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, which together oversee the council, said $100,000 is available in the grant pool. The organizations are expected to award grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 that focus on short-term projects that can be completed within the next six months.

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Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, hospitals, industry trade associations and nonprofit groups. For-profit entities are not eligible. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

The Knowledge Economy initiative began in 2007 when a team of civic, academic and business leaders were brought together to develop a plan to strengthen and grow the region’s knowledge-economy sectors – health care, technology, research and design, and alternative energy – by identifying, coordinating and supporting regional assets, competencies and networks, the chamber said.

The Innovation Providence Implementation Council awarded the first round of grant funding in April from the Chamber and the City of Providence. Eleven grants totaling $150,000 were given in the areas of entrepreneurship, product safety, work force development and alternative energy.

For additional information on the Providence-RI Knowledge Economy Initiative, as well as information on applying for grant funding, visit ProvChamber.com.