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Broadband connections and digital literacy are increasingly critical to individual participation in the society, economy, and civic institutions of the United States. Broadband connections expand access to health care and essential services, education, and jobs. High-speed Internet access is not a luxury, but a necessity, for all people of the United States, regardless of their age, race, or income, irrespective of where they live, what languages they speak, what resources they have at their disposal, their disability status, and what specific challenges they may face in their daily lives. This State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will make funds available to begin implementation of State and U.S. Territory Digital Equity Plans developed pursuant to the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.
The purpose of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is to create the conditions where individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States.
The Digital Equity Plans identify the barriers to achieving digital equity faced by certain populations defined by the statute (i.e. “Covered Populations”), and include measurable objectives to promote:
In addition, this NOFO establishes a competitive process to make both State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program funds and State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funds available to native entities to carry out digital equity and inclusion activities consistent with the Digital Equity Act. These proposed projects must include measurable objectives and evaluation criteria as part of their program design and will likewise address barriers to digital equity and promote the availability and affordability of access to broadband technology, online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources and services, digital literacy, awareness of online privacy and cybersecurity, and the availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.
Are you ready to apply?
NTIA has prepared a variety of materials to help stakeholders more easily apply for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Click below to learn more.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) solicits applications for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (“Capacity Grant Program” or “Program”), the second of three digital equity programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The Capacity Grant Program will provide funds to States and U.S. Territories to implement the State Digital Equity Plans developed pursuant to the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.
In addition, this NOFO establishes a competitive process to make both State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program funds and State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funds available to Native Entities to carry out digital equity and inclusion activities consistent with the Digital Equity Act.
You can find full details about this program in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
$1.44 Billion
For State/Territory points of contact, please visit the Funding by State/Territory page and select the state for contact details.
For questions, contact digitalequity@ntia.gov.
Grantee Support: Grants.gov provides 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and via email. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.
NTIA will be discussing the next stage in the Digital Equity Act grant programs and how states, local governments, tribal entities, and other stakeholders can reduce barriers to digital equity in their communities. Speakers will discuss what resources are available to them and how we can ensure Internet for All.
By Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, NTIA
Today, all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico have submitted their Digital Equity Plans to NTIA for acceptance. This is a milestone moment in closing the digital divide. For the first time in our nation’s history, each state will have a plan to connect communities with the resources they need to achieve digital equity. That’s never been true before, and it’s an exciting indicator of how far we’ve come as a nation in acknowledging and addressing this challenge.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)'s $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act Programs are critical for communities in need of access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet – an essential service in an increasingly digital world.
