Grant Opportunities
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (PDF, 2.62MB) provides substantial funding opportunities to address digital inclusion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs. These programs offer significant financial resources to help institutions bridge the digital divide, enhance internet access, and promote digital literacy and inclusion.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (GUMBO 2.0 in LA): The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BEAD Program focuses on expanding high-speed internet access through infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. Louisiana received $1.355 billion to fund broadband construction projects aimed at providing reliable and affordable internet to unserved, underserved and community anchor locations. Learn more about Louisiana’s BEAD Program.
- Remaining funds can be used for eligible non-deployment activities (GUMBO 3.0 in LA) to increase internet adoption.
- BEAD Initial Proposal: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (see pages 68-77 for the non-deployment selection process). Eligible non-deployment activities include:
- User training with respect to cybersecurity, privacy and other digital safety matters
- Remote learning or telehealth services/facilities
- Digital literacy/upskilling (from beginner level to advanced)
- Computer science, coding and cybersecurity education programs
- Broadband sign-up assistance and programs that provide technology support
- Multi-lingual outreach to support adoption and digital literacy
- Prisoner education to promote pre-release digital literacy, job skills, online job acquisition skills, etc.
- Digital navigators
- For more information, visit ConnectLA's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) webpage.
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (GUMBO 4.0 in LA): This NTIA grant program allocated approximately $22 million to Louisiana over five years to support digital equity projects and implement the state's Digital Opportunity Plan. These funds must be used to reach covered populations in the state.
- ConnectLA: Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity submitted the state’s application for the first round of Capacity Grant funding ($12.7 million) in May 2024.
- ConnectLA will determine how the state’s award will be distributed to eligible entities.
- Timeline: Capacity Grant Program will likely begin in 2025
- NTIA awarded the first State Digital Equity Capacity Grant on June 26, 2024 to the state of Nevada. NTIA will award the remaining state grants on a rolling basis during the remainder of 2024.
- Learn more: State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program: This NTIA grant program offers $1.25 billion in annual grants over five years to fund innovative digital equity projects. Higher education institutions, as eligible entities, can compete for these funds to support programs that address the digital needs of underserved communities, promoting broader digital inclusion.
- The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released on July 24, 2024.
- NOFO details:
- Applications due September 23, 2024
- Individual grant awards will range between $5 million - $12 million
- By Winter 2024, NTIA will award grants on a rolling basis
- Minimum 10% match required; cash and in-kind contributions are allowed
- Four-year period of performance; with option for additional one year evaluation period
- Partnerships between eligible entities are strongly encouraged.
- 10% cap on evaluation; 10% cap on administrative costs
- Eligible uses of funds:
- To develop and implement digital inclusion activities that benefit one or more of the Covered Populations
- To facilitate the adoption of broadband by Covered Populations to provide educational and employment opportunities to those populations
- To implement training programs for Covered Populations that cover basic, advanced, and applied skills or other workforce development programs
- All technology and equipment requirements for delivering broadband service to covered populations at low or no cost
- To construct, upgrade, expend, or operate new or existing public access computing centers for Covered Populations through community anchor institutions
Articles
It’s Time to Prepare your Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Applications!, Shauna Edson, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (July 2024)
- There will be three rounds of funding (this year, FY ’25 and FY ’26)
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Get Ready One Pager (PDF, 176KB), NTIA (June 2024)
How You Should Prepare for Digital Equity Grants, Paolo Balboa, NDIA (February 2024)
$840 Million in Digital Equity Grants Available, Shauna Edson, NDIA (April 2024)
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Part 2 - States and Territories, Shauna Edson, NDIA (April 2024)
Building Relationships with Local Funders, Vicky Yuki, NDIA (June 2024)
