The White House and the U.S. Department of Commerce are seeking to develop a new generation of tech hubs through a new program that will invest a total of $500 million in grants in select regions that are poised to develop and expand industries around computer chips, clean energy and a range of other technologies. The application progress for the grants opened last week. 

The regions are not bound by specific borders but rather focus on identifying sections of the country with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to become globally competitive in critical technologies and industries. Applicants select a technology industry to focus on that can fit under a list of 10 key focus areas.

It is a chance, administration leaders say, to expand the tech capabilities seen in such cities as San Francisco, New York or Austin to other parts of the country.