Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 11.028
- Agency
-
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Department of Commerce
- Grant awards
- 93 $450,698,469 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 16-0561-0-1-452
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded 93 Project Grants totaling $450.7 million under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CFDA 11.028) as of March 1, 2023, the most recent grant award date, with significant award volume concentrated in 2023 when 74 of the 93 awards were made.
This program funds broadband internet access service acquisition, eligible equipment purchases, and hiring and training of information technology personnel for minority-serving institutions and related consortiums serving anchor communities—geographically defined areas within 15 miles of a historically Black college or university, Tribal College or University, or minority-serving institution, where median annual household income does not exceed 250 percent of the poverty line. Eligible recipients include historically Black colleges or universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, minority-serving institutions, and consortiums led by these institutions and including minority business enterprises or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Award periods extend up to two years, with the NTIA Administrator authorized to extend for recipients demonstrating execution of projects, established plans for fund use, or extenuating circumstances requiring additional time.
The program is entirely Project Grant–based. Recent awards demonstrate concrete activity patterns: Fort Valley State University received $2.997 million to expand broadband connectivity and digital skills training in Peach County, Georgia through satellite, cellular, and fiber integration; Virginia State University received $2.799 million for fiber optic infrastructure upgrades and digital navigator training in Petersburg and surrounding communities; and Shaw University received $10.144 million to upgrade broadband infrastructure from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps capacity and establish a Center for Cyber Education and Research. Typical award magnitudes range from approximately $1.2 million to $11.4 million, with a median in the $3–6 million range based on the recent sample.
Funded projects combine campus broadband infrastructure modernization, device distribution (laptops, tablets, hotspots), digital literacy training, workforce development in IT and cybersecurity, and community anchor programming. Representative scopes include hybrid classroom equipment installation, network capacity upgrades, remote learning platform development, digital navigator programs, and telehealth capability expansion.
No current grant opportunities are open under this program. The most recent solicitation (NTIA-CMCPP-2021) closed December 1, 2021; all 93 awards reflected in the portfolio resulted from that single funding round. The program remains active based on recent award dates, but no new solicitation has been posted since the initial 2021 NOFO.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel to 1
- Description
The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides grants to minority serving institutions and related consortiums to enhance broadband internet services and capabilities that service minority communities.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
(1) a historically Black college or university; (2) a Tribal College or University; (3) a Minority-serving institution; or (4) a consortium that is led by a historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or University, or a Minority-serving institution and that also includes a minority business enterprise or an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under 10 section 501(a) of such Code. Additionally, an eligible recipient must be in an anchor community that has an estimated median annual household income of not more than two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the poverty line and has demonstrated the greatest unmet financial need. A consortium partnership is eligible for a grant under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program if it is led by an eligible recipient educational institution as defined above.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Anchor Communities defined as any area that (1) is not more than 15 miles from a historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or University, or a Minority serving institution; and (2) has an estimated Median annual household income of not more than 250 percent of the poverty line, as that term is defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 6 9902(2)). NTIA may establish a different maximum distance for Tribal Colleges or Universities located on land held in trust by the United States in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior.
- Uses of assistance
Eligible recipients may use grant funds to: (1) purchase broadband internet access service, including the installation or upgrade of broadband facilities on a one-time, capital improvement, basis to increase or expand broadband capacity and/or connectivity at the eligible institution; (2) purchase or lease of eligible equipment and devices for student or patron use, subject to any restrictions and prohibited uses; and/or (3) hire and train information technology personnel who are a part of the eligible organization.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Period of performance is estimated to be up to two years. The NTIA Administrator may extend the two-year award period for an eligible recipient that proposes to use the grant funds for the program purpose if the eligible recipient certifies that: (i) the eligible recipient has a plan for use of the grant funds; (ii) the execution or implementation of the project is underway; or (iii) extenuating circumstances require an extension of time to allow the project to be completed.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
This information will be included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Award procedure
This information will be included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Renewals
The Assistant Secretary may extend the initial award period if the eligible recipient certifies that (1) it has a plan for the use of the grant funds; (2) the execution or implementation of the project is underway; or (3) extenuating circumstances require an extension of time to allow the project to be completed
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program | Closed |
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 93 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern University And A & M College | $12,454,400 | 3% |
| 2 | Johnson C. Smith University, Incorporated | $11,441,792 | 3% |
| 3 | California State University, Dominguez Hills | $10,605,336 | 2% |
| 4 | Shaw University | $10,144,090 | 2% |
| 5 | Fayetteville State University | $9,866,042 | 2% |
| 6 | Morgan State University | $8,231,232 | 2% |
| 7 | Coppin State University | $7,981,760 | 2% |
| 8 | North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University | $7,373,394 | 2% |
| 9 | Norfolk State University | $7,295,748 | 2% |
| 10 | Loma Linda University | $6,646,428 | 1% |
10 of 93 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$2,794,871 |
| FY2025 | -$1,106,440 |
| FY2023 | $412,597,648 |
| FY2022 | $42,002,133 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 11.028?
Assistance Listing 11.028 is Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, a federal grant program run by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Department of Commerce).
What is the CFDA number for Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program?
Its CFDA number is 11.028: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.028 awarded?
93 grant awards under 11.028 have obligated $450,698,469 in federal funds to 93 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 11.028?
The recipients obligated the most under Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program are Southern University And A & M College ($12,454,400), Johnson C. Smith University, Incorporated ($11,441,792) and California State University, Dominguez Hills ($10,605,336).
How much did 11.028 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 11.028 obligated -$1,106,440 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 11.028?
No opportunity listed under 11.028 is open now. The latest, Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, was posted on August 3, 2021.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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