Special Projects
Active
- Assistance listing
- 11.553
- Agency
-
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Department of Commerce
- Grant awards
- 16 $68,070,288 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 13-0550-0-0-000
- 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) funds specialized telecommunications training, capacity-building, and emergency-response infrastructure projects under CFDA 11.553, with the most recent award disbursed on May 11, 2026.
The program operates through non-competitive grants directed to congressionally identified organizations or entities selected by NTIA. Awarded activities span telecommunications training curricula development, youth digital-leadership mentoring in Africa, satellite-connectivity regulatory training for international audiences, emergency alert systems infrastructure, and digital television transition support. The portfolio shows two distinct funding periods: earlier grants (2007–2010) supported DTV transition and emergency-alert network deployment; recent grants (2015–present) emphasize training and capacity-building for international telecommunications governance and digital skills development. Award cadence has been sparse, ranging from one to two awards per year over the past five years, with no predictable solicitation schedule apparent.
NTIA accounts for 15 of 16 total awards and $68 million of the $68.1 million in combined federal obligations; a single Department of the Army award of $63 thousand represents the marginal outlier. The assistance-type mix is predominantly Project Grants (81 percent, 13 awards) with a smaller share of Cooperative Agreements (19 percent, 3 awards).
Recent award values cluster in the $135 thousand to $289 thousand range for training and capacity-building projects. One mega-award stands out: a $50.3 million Project Grant to the Public Broadcasting Service (2010) for installation and operation of the Warning Alert and Response Network (WARN) at PBS facilities and public television stations nationwide, reflecting the program's historical focus on infrastructure deployment. Combined federal and non-federal obligations total $68.4 million, indicating minimal cost-share requirements across the portfolio.
The program description specifies that award decisions are final with no administrative appeal process and that renewals depend on future Congressional appropriations. No recent grant opportunities are listed; the source indicates contact with NTIA headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines. Standard forms, project proposals, and budgets must follow Department of Commerce specifications. Recipients must maintain financial, programmatic, and statistical records for three years from final expenditure report submission.
Objective and description
- Objective
To assist various organizations identified by Congress or through non-competitive grants that promote the availability and support new sources of advanced telecommunications.
- Description
To assist various organizations identified by Congress or through non-competitive grants that promote the availability and support new sources of advanced telecommunications.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Organizations specifically identified by Congress in agency appropriations legislation or other authority that provides for non-competitive grants.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Beneficiaries are those served by the organizations receiving awards.
- Uses of assistance
Assistance is provided to implement specific projects identified by Congress or through non-competitive grants for projects that promote the availability and support new sources of advanced telecommunications.
- Use restrictions
No Functional Application/Unlimited Application
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Varies depending on project.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
CFDA Program 11.553 - Special Projects is an ACTIVE program in NIST Grants Management Information System (GMIS) - periodic grant funding to US Telecom Training Institute (USTTI) -- amounts vary
- Application procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
- Award procedure
Submit all standard forms (SF-424 Series Forms), project proposal and budget following the format specified by the Department of Commerce.
- Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate, for application deadlines
- Renewals
Renewals are contingent upon future Congressional funding.
- Appeals
All award decisions are final. There is no administrative appeal process.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 16 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Broadcasting Service | $50,323,420 | 74% |
| 2 | Usaging | $3,681,261 | 5% |
| 3 | U.s. Telecommunications Training Institute, Inc. | $2,057,703 | 3% |
| 4 | Washington State University | $62,900 | <1% |
4 of 6 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $289,000 |
| FY2025 | $62,900 |
| FY2024 | $289,000 |
| FY2023 | -$1,494,955 |
| FY2022 | $289,000 |
| FY2020 | -$100,000 |
| FY2019 | $144,500 |
| FY2018 | -$2,559,830 |
| FY2017 | $144,203 |
| FY2016 | $144,500 |
| FY2015 | $135,000 |
| FY2014 | $83,994 |
| FY2013 | -$20,509,724 |
| FY2012 | -$257,771 |
| FY2011 | $28,236,724 |
| FY2010 | $26,863,980 |
| FY2009 | $6,893,759 |
| FY2008 | $21,645,000 |
Show all 18
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 11.553?
Assistance Listing 11.553 is Special Projects, a federal grant program run by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Department of Commerce).
What is the CFDA number for Special Projects?
Its CFDA number is 11.553: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.553 awarded?
16 grant awards under 11.553 have obligated $68,070,288 in federal funds to 6 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 11.553?
The recipients obligated the most under Special Projects are Public Broadcasting Service ($50,323,420), Usaging ($3,681,261) and U.s. Telecommunications Training Institute, Inc. ($2,057,703).
How much did 11.553 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 11.553 obligated $62,900 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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