Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program
Overview
Broadband connections and digital literacy are increasingly critical to individual participation in the society, economy, and civic institutions of the United States. Broadband connections expand access to health care and essential services, education, and jobs. High-speed Internet access is not a luxury, but a necessity, for all people of the United States, regardless of their age, race, or income, irrespective of where they live, what languages they speak, what resources they have at their disposal, their disability status, and what specific challenges they may face in their daily lives. This State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will make funds available to begin implementation of State and U.S. Territory Digital Equity Plans developed pursuant to the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.
The purpose of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is to create the conditions where individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States.
The Digital Equity Plans identify the barriers to achieving digital equity faced by certain populations defined by the statute (i.e. “Covered Populations”), and include measurable objectives to promote:
- The availability and affordability of access to broadband technology;
- Online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services;
- Digital literacy;
- Awareness of online privacy and cybersecurity; and
- The availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.
In addition, this NOFO establishes a competitive process to make both State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program funds and State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funds available to native entities to carry out digital equity and inclusion activities consistent with the Digital Equity Act. These proposed projects must include measurable objectives and evaluation criteria as part of their program design and will likewise address barriers to digital equity and promote the availability and affordability of access to broadband technology, online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services, digital literacy, awareness of online privacy and cybersecurity, and the availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.
Are you ready to apply?
NTIA has prepared a variety of materials to help stakeholders more easily apply for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Click below to learn more.
Who Can Apply?
- All 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
- Other Territories: U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) solicits applications for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (“Capacity Grant Program” or “Program”), the second of three digital equity programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The Capacity Grant Program will provide funds to States and U.S. Territories to implement the State Digital Equity Plans developed pursuant to the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.
In addition, this NOFO establishes a competitive process to make both State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program funds and State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funds available to Native Entities to carry out digital equity and inclusion activities consistent with the Digital Equity Act.
You can find full details about this program in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Funding Availability
$1.44 Billion
Key Dates
- U.S. States (Including the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico): Completed applications from states.
MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MAY 28, 2024
- U.S. Territories (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico): Completed applications.
MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN JULY 31, 2024.
- Native Entities (Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian Organizations): The application window will open September 25, 2024 and close on February 7, 2025.
Contacts
For State/Territory points of contact, please visit the Funding by State/Territory page and select the state for contact details.
For questions, contact digitalequity@ntia.gov.
Grantee Support: Grants.gov provides 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and via email. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.
Webinars and Training
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant SF-424 Training
Download Slide DeckState Digital Equity Capacity Grant Project Narrative Webinar
Download Slide DeckState Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Application Guidance Webinar
Consolidated Budget Form and Budget Caps Training
News and Updates
Stronger Together: Celebrating Digital Inclusion Week 2024
Cody Dorsey, Digital Equity Federal Program Officer
Digital Equity Webinar Series: Digital Equity Solutions for Tribal Nations
Tribal nations face unique challenges when seeking solutions to the digital equity gaps in their communities. This webinar will feature Tribal leaders discussing how they are using federal and other resources to create pathways to success for their residents.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Thursday, October 17. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Additional Funding & Other Certifications
This is a webinar to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Native Entities. It will focus on application requirements for noting additional funding and other certifications.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Wednesday, December 4. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Consolidated Budget Form
This is a webinar to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Native Entities. It will focus on the consolidated budget form.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Thursday, November 14. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Project Narrative
This is a webinar to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Native Entities. It will focus on the elements required for the project narrative.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Wednesday, November 6. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Registration, Entity Type
This is a webinar to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: Native Entities. It will focus on registration, consortia, and application requirements.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Wednesday, October 23. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Standard Forms
This is a webinar to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: Native Entities. It will focus on standard forms.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Wednesday, October 16. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.
Grants 101 for Native Entities
This webinar is meant to give applicants who have little to no experience with federal grants administration an introduction to the grants lifecycle and important roles and responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the grant.
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov by Thursday, October 10. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.