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.
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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.
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.
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