FY26 Competitive Fund Application - Economic Impact - Regional Collaboration - Project Readiness

Sep 12, 2026

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FY26 Competitive Fund Application questions guide applicants through economic impact, regional collaboration, and project readiness requirements. The form requests detailed project overviews, industry-cluster alignment, measurable outcomes using GO Virginia Core Grant Outcomes, and fiscal return evaluation via the DHCD Economic Impact template. It also asks for participating regions and local government roles, consultation and industry validation activities, partner identification with match commitments, and documentation uploads. Project readiness sections cover milestones, drawdown schedules, total budgets and required match/waivers, multi-region implementation, risks, and prerequisite partner activities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Economic Impact

Overview and economic opportunity alignment

Industry clusters and outcomes tracking

Fiscal return template and DHCD review

Regional Collaboration

Regions involved and local government participation

Consultation with regional councils and local entities

Industry validation and private-sector demand

Applicant, fiscal agent, and partner organization roles

Complementing existing programs and cost efficiencies

Project Readiness

Timeline, milestones, and drawdown schedule

Total budget, match requirements, and sources/uses

Multi-regional implementation and coordination

Barriers, risks, and mitigation strategies

Prerequisite partner activities

FY26 Competitive Fund Application Please note: Each response in this application is limited to 6,000 characters. ECONOMIC IMPACT 1. Provide an overview of the proposed project and project activities included in the project budget. ATTACHMENTS: A 1-2-page Executive Summary must be uploaded with the application. 2. Explain how this project represents a significant economic opportunity for the region. Describe how it supports the growth of traded-sector industries, as identified in the region’s Economic Growth and Diversification Plan. 3. Which industry clusters identified in your region’s Economic Growth and Diversification Plan(s) will this project focus on? Describe how the project supports the Plan’s strategies and goals. What problem is the project team trying to solve? 4. Identify the project outcomes and deliverables that will be achieved during the grant performance period. For any quantitative outcomes that demonstrate project impact, select the most relevant items from the GO Virginia Core Grant Outcomes (definitions provided) and explain why they are appropriate for your project. Describe how the project team or its partners will track and report these outcomes over time. ATTACHMENTS: Upload the GO Virginia Core Grant Outcomes spreadsheet with the application. 5. Please attach the DHCD Economic Impact template that demonstrates the expected fiscal return to the Commonwealth. Please note that the template is used as an evaluation criterion but a positive fiscal return is not an eligibility requirement. Include an explanation and source any data used as the basis for inputs used to complete the template. ATTACHMENTS: The DHCD Economic Impact template should be uploaded with the application. 6. Competitive applications must have the economic impact analysis reviewed by DHCD. Seethe DHCD Economic Impact Model Validation Process Memo for more information on how to complete this step. REGIONAL COLLABORATION 7. Identify the GO Virginia region(s) involved in this project and list the local units of government that are actively participating. Describe each locality’s role in the project, including financial contributions, staff involvement, or other meaningful forms of participation. A minimum of two localities is required for single-region competitive applications, and at least two localities from each region are required for multi-regional competitive applications. Refer to the Regional Collaboration and Local Participation Guidelines for examples of eligible participation. 8. Discuss how the Regional Council(s) and project development team consulted with local government entities regarding the strategy and implementation of the project. 9. Describe how private industry and subject matter experts have been involved in validating, developing, or planning this project. How has industry demand informed the project’s purpose and design? Identify any traded-sector companies that have been engaged and explain their role or input. 10. Identify the applicant or fiscal agent and all partner organizations involved in implementing the project. For each partner, describe their role in completing the scope of work, their financial or in-kind match commitment, and their capacity to fulfill these responsibilities. Partners may include school divisions, community colleges, higher education institutions, economic and workforce development entities, local governments, regional organizations, planning district commissions, and nonprofit organizations. ATTACHMENTS: Upload Match Verification Form(s) with the application. Partners are encouraged to submit letters of support describing their role and involvement. 11. Describe any existing programs with similar goals and explain how this project will complement—not duplicate—those efforts. In what ways does this proposal add value to ongoing work that supports economic diversification and the growth of traded-sector industries? Have past or current efforts been suc

FAQs

What does the Economic Impact section require applicants to address?

Applicants must describe the proposed project and activities, explain the economic opportunity for the region, specify relevant industry clusters, and identify outcomes and deliverables with appropriate GO Virginia Core Grant Outcomes. The application also requires fiscal return information using the DHCD Economic Impact template and documentation for DHCD review.

What are the Regional Collaboration requirements for single-region versus multi-regional applications?

Single-region competitive applications require a minimum of two localities actively participating. Multi-regional competitive applications require at least two localities from each participating region, with clear descriptions of each locality’s role and participation.

What documentation is expected for project readiness and budget sections?

Applicants must upload the DHCD Project Milestones Template, including a proposed Drawdown Schedule, and the DHCD Sources and Uses Budget template. The application also addresses required match (including potential match waiver forms) and requires Match Verification Form(s) when partners participate.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Finn