Help America Advance its National Objective of Broadband Access for All!
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is soliciting experts to evaluate grant proposals for the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The program will award $268 million in grants to Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), Minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and consortiums led by these institutions for the purchase of broadband internet access service, or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel.
For updates on the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, please see: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/grant-programs/connecting-minority-communities-pilot-program
NTIA will conduct a merit review of applications submitted to this program. The merit review will involve teams of technical experts that evaluate applications against established review criteria specific to the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot program.
NTIA is seeking qualified volunteers with expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Knowledge and experience with Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), and/or Minority-serving institutions (MSIs) including:
- Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHs)
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)
- Native American serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs)
- Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs)
- Experience with Information Technology including planning or implementing campus IT upgrades, network expansions, and cybersecurity improvements
- Knowledge and experience with broadband adoption, digital inclusion, workforce development, digital training and entrepreneurship programs in minority communities
- Knowledge and experience with digital skills and IT workforce training programs including STEM/STEAM, coding, cybersecurity, technician, and work-based learning
- Knowledge and experience with design, evaluation or implementation of innovative remote learning solutions that address student barriers/constraints related to distance learning
- Understanding of current discount and subsidized broadband subscription and device programs
- Experience with federal grants experience, including experience with being a grants writer, grant recipient, grant reviewer.
NTIA projects that merit reviews for this program will start in December and extend through January 2022. We are committed to ensuring that reviewers come from diverse backgrounds and areas of the United States. Please feel free to circulate this “Call for Reviewers” to other individuals or organizations that may be sources of qualified reviewers.
- Name
- Residence (city and state)
- Email/phone number
- Employer(s) including states you were employed
- Position/Title
- Years and types of experience and positions in fields related to broadband activities
Over the coming months, NTIA will examine and approve reviewer applications based on a first-come, first-serve basis. We request that you submit your application no later than October 31, 2021. Upon selection as a merit reviewer, you must submit signed Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality forms in accordance with Department of Commerce policies on conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Approved reviewers will be contacted to schedule participation in a reviewer orientation webinar session.
Although you will not be compensated for your time and expertise, you will be making a significant contribution to enhancing broadband services throughout the United States. We appreciate the valuable contribution you will be making to the success of the programs and look forward to working with you as a reviewer. If you have questions, please send them by email to: grantreviewer@ntia.gov.