The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is offering a series of events and workshops available for nonprofits and students living in the Appalachian region. 

Here is a small breakdown of each possible opportunity for you and your community to be a part of.

Getting the Grant Workshop

the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is returning its in-person workshop series, Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities.

Getting the Grant 2024 has been designed to help prospective applicants understand funding requirements and prepare to submit successful applications for ARISE, INSPIRE, and POWER. 

Those who attend this workshop will:

• Hear from initiative leads on program specifics, new and upcoming changes to the 2024 Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSAs), application review, and scoring criteria
• Meet ARC staff and discuss best practices in project development and implementation
• Learn from successful grantees on how they translated their project ideas into award-winning proposals 
• Receive training guidance on complex application components and associated requirements

ARC will be traveling across the Region to provide equal access and opportunity to both new and returning applicants.  

• January 23, 2024, 8 am – 4 pm, Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel, Asheville, North Carolina
• January 30, 2024, 8 am – 4 pm, Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama 
• February 6, 2024, 8 am – 4 pm, Morris University Center, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio

You can find the registration form HERE. 

ARC Grant Descriptions

ARC ARISE

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a new ARC initiative that aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects across Appalachia. 

With the additional funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL), ARC launched ARISE to strengthen Appalachian business and industry and to grow and support the development of new opportunities across multiple states.

ARISE encourages the region’s 13 states to think beyond local and state lines and to spearhead initiatives that encourage states to work together as one, united Appalachia to advance ARC’s strategic investment priorities.

Since January 2023, ARC has invested $48.6 million in 13 projects impacting 12 Appalachian states through the ARISE Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain over 21,300 jobs, leverage more than $4.6 million in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare over 5,200 workers and students for opportunities in broadband development, workforce education, and green manufacturing across the region.

ARC INSPIRE

The Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative addresses the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis across Appalachia by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry. 

Successful projects will support the post-treatment to employment continuum, which could include investments in healthcare networks that support SUD recovery professionals, recovery-focused job training programs, as well as initiatives designed to coordinate, or link, recovery services and training that support the recovery to work ecosystem, among others.

In September 2023, ARC awarded $14 million to 43 projects across the region. These INSPIRE awardees will support the SUD recovery-to-employment continuum in 11 Appalachian states by training and certifying recovery specialists, establishing cross-sector partnerships, expanding peer support networks, launching recovery-to-work programs with a full spectrum of coordinated support services, and more.

ARC POWER

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.

In October 2023, ARC awarded its latest round of investments – nearly $54 million – to projects that will leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, and infrastructure to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of investment.

Academies & Institutes

ARC hosts several academies and institutes for students and adults in STEM education, entrepreneurship development, applied research, and community leadership. Through these experiential learning opportunities, participants build networks, hone skills, and cultivate an enduring commitment to Appalachia’s future.

Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative

The Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI) is an applied research training program for Appalachian college students to work together to build on community assets to shape a positive future for the Region.

Since 2001, over 3,000 students from 31 colleges and universities across Appalachia have participated in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI), formerly known as the Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP). Administered by East Tennessee State University, ACRI is an applied research training program for Appalachian college students to support economic development initiatives for their communities.

Learn more HERE.

Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy

The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) is an experiential learning program designed for high school students to build their skills in business planning, product development, idea modeling, and digital marketing.

In partnership with Appalachian State University, EntreEd, and STEM West, ARC’s Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) prepares the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers.

Chosen via a competitive application process, 26 high school students from across the Appalachian Region participate in experiential learning designed to cultivate creativity and develop essential entrepreneurial skills. Students develop and implement their own business ideas, refine and prototype those ideas, and deliver a shark-tank-style pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs. New this year, students will work with peer mentors who are AEA alumni.

Learn more HERE.

Appalachian Leadership Institute

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive leadership and economic development training opportunity for Appalachians who are passionate about helping their communities thrive.

Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows participate in an extensive training curriculum developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC.

Learn more HERE.

Appalachian STEM Academy

The Appalachian STEM Academy is a residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle school and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields.

Established in 1990, the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge is a residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields.

Hosted by Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this program is a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the Appalachian Region. Many participants come from economically distressed counties and often gain their first exposure to applied science and STEM education through this experience.

Learn more HERE.