Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program

The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, administered by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, seeks applications to address barriers to digital equity faced by covered populations as defined by the Digital Equity Act. The program will support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and use of broadband among the covered populations. Eligible activities include developing and implementing digital inclusion initiatives, facilitating broadband adoption, providing training programs, enabling access to digital equipment and technology, and constructing or operating public computing centers. Applicants must demonstrate partnerships and the ability to administer significant resources to meet the varied needs of the targeted populations. Complete applications from eligible entities must be received by September 23, 2024, with a separate deadline of October 22, 2024, for U.S. Territories.

Up to $750 million in funding is available through fiscal year 2024, with an additional $250 million anticipated in fiscal year 2025. Individual awards to eligible entities are expected to range from $5 million to $12 million, except for awards to U.S. Territories, which will not exceed $2.5 million. There are no specific details provided about the quantity of grants to be awarded or the anticipated performance period.