The Appalachian Regional Commission is offering an array of options for those living in Appalachia. From learning the basics of grant writing to collegiate entrepreneur programs, there is bound to be something for those who are wanting to make a difference across the region.

ARC Grant Writing Workshops

ARC is inviting you to attend an in-person workshop series that will help you prepare to apply for their ARC grants in 2023. 

The series is called Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities and three different locations are available for any or all of these workshops – Belden, Mississippi; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 

There are three grants available that you can learn more information about ARC ARISE, ARC INSPIRE, and ARC POWER.

Let’s take a dive into these programs.

ARC ARISE

ARC ARISE, which stands for Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies, is a new project that is trying to get organizations from 13 different regions and states to work together. 

As of January 2023, there have been $6.3 million awarded across 12 Appalachian states and there are still $73.5 million still available to be awarded.

The latest ARC ARISE grant was awarded in January of this year to Connect Humanity which will help 50 underserved communities in every subregion of Appalachia to help improve broadband needs. One of those partners in that initiative included our SOAR team!

You can learn more about ARC ARISE in these video workshops.

You can download a regional multistate collaboration toolkit for ARC ARISE HERE.

ARC INSPIRE

ARC INSPIRE stands for the Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems Initiative helps address the substance use disorder crisis across Appalachia. The initiative helps create or expand a recovery community 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 for communities, among others.

Since April 2021, ARC has invested $28.1 million in 84 projects that address Appalachia’s substance use disorder crisis in 289 counties. Together, these projects are projected to improve more than 1,100 businesses and provide opportunities for nearly 6,500 students and workers in creating or expanding recovery ecosystems leading to workforce entry or re-entry throughout the region. 

Several of those grantees for this award are from our region!

The next application deadline is set for March 17, 2023, you can find out more information HERE and download a PDF form HERE.

There will be a virtual INSPIRE 2023 Pre-Application Workshop planned for February 15, 2023, to learn more about the project, you can apply for it HERE.

ARC POWER

ARC POWER stands for the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative which helps target federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

Several ARC POWER awards were given during our 2022 SOAR Summit in Pikeville in October 2022. 

The workshop series will offer:

• ARC program staff to ask specific questions about the development of your project;
• Learn from case study presentations showcasing how successful ARC projects have created economic growth across the region;
• Hear expert insights on the qualities of a well-rounded application;
• Engage with ARC staff, grantees, and community leaders working to strengthen economies across the Appalachian Region.

You can apply for the workshop series HERE.

ARC 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.

Participating ACRI students are enrolled in a for-credit academic course to design and lead research projects in Appalachian communities to address regional challenges. As a finale for the coursework, students and their faculty sponsors travel to Washington, D.C., to present their work to other student delegations, ARC leadership, and community leaders at the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative Capstone Symposium.

ARC is seeking proposals from colleges and universities in and near the Appalachian Region to participate in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI). Participating institutions must offer at least one for-credit course during the Fall 2023 semester which helps students answer critical research questions about community economic development.

Proposals are due March 31, 2023.

You can read more about the program 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.

The application for this opportunity is now closed.

But you can learn more about the program 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.

The all-inclusive, nine-month program runs from October-July and includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews. The program includes field visits during six separate sessions across the Appalachian Region, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C.

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is limited to 40 fellows annually, drawn from Appalachia’s public, private and non-profit sectors. Fellows are chosen via a competitive application process and each class includes representatives from each of the thirteen states in the ARC footprint to reflect the region’s diverse economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies.

Applications for the 2023-2024 Appalachian Leadership Institute will open in Spring 2023. 

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.

Applications are now closed for this program opportunity.