Broadband Equity Access and Deployment
Overview
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program Timeline page provides an overview with important dates and milestones related to the program. Whether you're a grantee, a stakeholder, or simply interested in the program's progress, follow along as we mark key milestones, from the program's launch to the announcement of grant recipients and to project completion.
Letter of Intent Due
LOIs must be signed by the Governor or equivalent chief executive of the Eligible Entity and submitted through the NTIA portal by July 18, 2022. Applicants are not required to include a request for planning funds with the LOI, which does not automatically result in the release of planning funds.
Related Resources:
Key Date: July 18, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. EDT
An Eligible Entity that receives Initial Planning Funds must submit to the Assistant Secretary a Five-Year Action Plan that establishes the State or Territory’s broadband goals and priorities and serves as a comprehensive needs assessment that will inform the State or Territory’s Initial Proposal. NTIA expects to offer technical assistance with regard to the Five-Year Action Plan and to provide specific feedback in response to each plan submitted, which can facilitate later steps in the BEAD Program’s process.
Related Resources:
- Five-Year Action Plan Guidance
- Five-Year Action Plan Template
- Five-Year Action Plan Crosswalk
- Environmental & Historic Preservation Checklist for BEAD
Key Date: Within 270 days of receipt of Initial Planning Funds
Five-Year Action Plan
Initial Proposal
Eligible Entities will have 180 days from receipt of the Notice of Available Amounts to develop and submit an Initial Proposal, which will, among other things, describe the competitive process the Eligible Entity proposes to use to select subgrantees to construct broadband projects. Prior to submission to NTIA, the Initial Proposal must be made available for public comment, and the Initial Proposal must incorporate local coordination feedback for the Assistant Secretary’s review.
Related Resources:
Key Date: 180 days to submit after issuance of their Notice of Available Amounts
After the Eligible Entity has selected subgrantees and otherwise executed its approved Initial Proposal, it will submit to NTIA a Final Proposal describing how it complied with that Initial Proposal and the results of its processes. NTIA will award the remaining funds allocated to the Eligible Entity upon approval of the Eligible Entity’s Final Proposal, and Eligible Entities will initiate their subgrants for the remaining 80 percent of funding and any portion of the original 20 percent that the Eligible Entity has not yet awarded as a subgrant. Prior to submission to NTIA the Final Proposal must be made available for public comment.
Related Resources:
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- NOFO Technical Assistance Webinar: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Application Process
- Program Application Checklist and Packet
Key Date: No later than twelve (12) months after the date upon which the Assistant Secretary approves the Eligible Entity's Initial Proposal
Final Proposal and Release of Remaining Funds
Implementation and Monitoring
Both Eligible Entities and subgrantees must comply with reporting requirements.
Related Resources:
Key Dates:
Eligible Entities:
- Initial report (within 90 days after receiving any grant funds)
- Semiannual report (no later than 1 year after receiving grant funds, then semi-annually)
- Final report (no later than 1 year after all grant funds expended)
Subgrantees:
- Semiannual reports describing type of project and/or other eligible activities and duration of the subgrant