Too many communities lack access to high-speed internet. Many more can't afford it or don't know how to use it. The divide between those who have internet access and those who don't is stark. To create an equitable economy, we all need access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The three programs are:
- State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program: A $60 million grant program for states and territories to develop digital equity plans.
- State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: A $1.44 billion grant program for states and territories. It will fund an annual grant program for five years in support of digital equity projects and the implementation of digital equity plans.
- Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program: A $1.25 billion grant program. It will fund annual grant programs for five years to implement digital equity projects.
Digital Equity Planning Grant Funds Application Window for U.S. Territories Opens October 18, 2022
As part of the Digital Equity Act, U.S. Territories (American Samoa, Guam, CNMI and USVI) are also eligible for $3M in set aside funding to develop plans to ensure that all communities can access and use affordable, reliable high-speed Internet. In order to access this funding, the territories must develop a digital equity plan. The application window for planning funds U.S. Territories will open on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. U.S. Territories will submit their applications by January 17th, 2023. Please consult the following guidance for more information. To access the NTIA Grants Portal to submit an application, click here.
Download the program info sheet (English | Español)
Digital Equity Planning Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Program Application Checklist and Packet
Digital Equity Planning SAMPLE Application Narrative and Budget Documents
Frequently Asked Questions for DE program
Includes frequently asked questions with answers. This resource was developed in response to inquiries from you and will be updated frequently. If you do not see the answer to your question, please submit to digitalequity@ntia.gov. This update was made 6-6-2022.
Digital Equity Technical Assistance
Resources intended to assist prospective applicants prepare grant applications and award/project implementation. Please visit our BEAD, Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure, and Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program pages for technical assistance resources on those programs.
Planning Grant Program Sequencing |
Key Dates |
|---|---|
|
NOFO Release/Application Intake Opening |
May 13, 2022 |
|
Allocation Challenge |
May 27, 2022 |
|
State Application |
July 12, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. EDT |
|
Letter of Intent for Territories and Tribal Nations |
July 12, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. EDT |
|
NTIA Award Processing |
September 15, 2022 |
|
Notice of Award |
September 29, 2022 |
|
Unsuccessful Application Request for Debrief |
Request within 10 business days of the unsuccessful application email notification |
|
Performance Reporting |
Reports must be submitted on a semiannual basis for the periods ending March 31 and September 30 of each year. Reports will be due within thirty (30) days after the end of the reporting period. |
For further information, visit InternetForAll.gov