State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program

Background
Under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Information (Assistant Secretary) will award grants to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (the States) for the purpose of developing State Digital Equity Plans. Through these Plans, each State will identify barriers to digital equity and strategies for overcoming those barriers. U.S. territories and possessions (other than Puerto Rico), Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations may also seek grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to develop their own digital equity plans and provide input into the digital equity plans of the States in which they are located. The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program is part of the larger State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which aims to promote the achievement of digital equity, support digital inclusion activities, and build capacity for efforts by States relating to the adoption of broadband by residents.

Grant Details
NTIA issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to describe the requirements under which it will issue financial assistance awards for the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. The program aims to promote digital equity and support digital inclusion activities. The grant program is part of a larger initiative to address barriers to digital equity and strategies for overcoming them. The program is authorized by Section 60304(c) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The grant funding will be awarded on a rolling basis with an expected completion date by September 15, 2022.

Eligibility Requirements
Each State is eligible to apply for grants under this program. U.S. territories (other than Puerto Rico), Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations are also eligible to enter into grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts with NTIA to carry out the activities contemplated in this program.

Period of Performance
The award period for the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program is one year, beginning on the date on which the grantee is awarded the grant funds; provided that it may be extended by NTIA for up to 180 days based on a written request from a recipient.

Grant Value
NTIA will make up to $53,400,000 available under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program for States. Additionally, NTIA has reserved one percent of $60 million ($3 million) for U.S. territories and possessions (other than Puerto Rico) and five percent ($15 million) for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations where the grant will be performed include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico as well as U.S. territories (other than Puerto Rico), Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations.