Unlocking Digital Equity: Your Guide to NTIA’s Competitive Grant Program

By Tammy Breski, Broadband Infrastructure Manager, IEM

This week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funding (NOFO) opening the application for the Digital Equity (DE) Competitive Grant Program.

Why this Matters

The DE Competitive Grant Program is a game-changer in the quest for digital equity, offering funding to a diverse array of organizations dedicated to breaking down barriers for underserved communities. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, promote digital inclusion, and increase broadband adoption and meaningful use among these groups.

This program specifically targets the unique needs of communities that the Capacity Grant Program may not fully address. With a commitment to diversity, the DE Competitive Grant Program seeks to empower a broad range of recipients, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

By supporting these efforts, the Program paves the way for a more connected and inclusive society, where everyone can thrive in today’s digital world.

Leveraging these new funds, successful DE Competitive Grant Applicants will want to execute programs or initiatives to effectively reach and serve the covered populations[1], such as:

1. Facilitate broadband adoption to provide educational and employment opportunities;
2. Implement training programs that cover basic, advanced, and applied skills;
3. Implement workforce development programs;
4. Make equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, and digital network technology for broadband services available at low or no cost;
5. Construct, upgrade, expand, or operate new or existing publicly accessible computing centers through community anchor institutions; or
6. Undertake any other project or activity NTIA finds to be consistent with the purposes of the Program.

How to Standout – Partnerships

The NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant program offers awards ranging from $5 million to $12 million. While proposals outside this range can be submitted, they must include strong justifications for consideration.

NITA’s NOFO encourages applicants to collaborate and combine projects to align with the target award amounts. By doing so, applicants can avoid the challenge of justifying why their project should be approved outside the specified range.

Overcoming Partnership Challenges

Forming partnerships for the Digital Equity Competitive Grants can be complex, but addressing these four key areas from the start can help ensure success:

1. Strategic Partner Selection: Only one member of a partnership can serve as the Applicant, though entities can be part of multiple applications. Choose partners wisely and decide strategically which entity will serve as the Applicant. Consider combining or splitting projects to align with NTIA’s targeted range, enhancing your chances of approval.
2. Funding Certification: Every partner must certify they have sufficient funding for the project. Entities often join multiple applications to increase their chances, but they may only have funds for one. The designated Applicant should require full disclosure of any such intentions and ensure all partners have the necessary funding.
3. Match Requirements: The program requires at least a 10% match, but applications exceeding this threshold receive additional consideration. Determine if all partners should meet the 10% minimum or if one partner can contribute more to offset others. Be prepared to explain your strategy for meeting the match requirement.
4. Reporting Responsibilities: Awardees must provide detailed financial and performance reports. This includes data on the Covered Population, total individuals served, and the impact of grant activities. Ensure your partners are capable of timely and accurate reporting. Clarify each partner’s role in meeting these requirements and their ability to capture and report performance data effectively.

By addressing these areas, you can navigate the complexities of partnership coordination and enhance your chances of securing a Digital Equity Competitive Grant.

Mark Your Calendar!

As you determine your projects and develop partnerships, keep the deadlines in mind. The application must be received through the NTIA Grants Portal no later than the due date and time determined based on your Eligible Entity status.