The Missouri Broadband Resource Rail serves as a source of information related to the build-out of and affordable access to reliable high-speed broadband internet to improve Missourians’ lives through connectivity. The benefits of broadband are wide ranging, including distance learning, remote work, telehealth and more, and an affordable connection to the Internet has become as essential in daily living as other utilities, such as water, gas and electricity.
In the U.S., the federal government has clearly identified the urgency of increasing affordable broadband connectivity and working toward digital inclusion and digital equity for all. Both legislation and regulatory actions have been adopted in that effort, and new legislation and programs are being contemplated at a fast pace.
This Frequently Asked Questions page is designed to provide basic information about some of the major active or upcoming federal broadband and broadband-related funding programs. The FAQ page includes additional sources of information about the programs, including direct links to the individual program’s website and interpretations of the funding opportunities from additional organizations in the broadband space.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list but rather an overview of some of the more prominent programs. As details emerge and the landscape evolves to include more funding opportunities, so too will this page. Funding application windows are opening and closing frequently. Please visit grants.gov and search for “broadband” to check which broadband-related programs are currently accepting applications. When available, the application deadline is included with the description of the program in this FAQ.
For more information about the actual grants and loans visit our Funding Opportunities page.
Which Federal programs are providing broadband infrastructure funding and what are the eligibility requirements?
A: The American Rescue Plan Act § 602 provides a total of $360 billion to eligible states, territories, and tribal governments. Funds are available until 2024 and are to be used for “necessary investments” in “water, sewer, broadband infrastructure.”
Of that $360 billion, the total allocated to Missouri is $5.475 billion (combining the allocations at the state level, and allocations to cities, counties, and non-county jurisdictions). For more information regarding the breakdown of funds, please see https://treasurer.mo.gov/pdfnew/FinalStateandLocalAllocationOutput0308.pdf .
A: The American Rescue Plan Act § 603 provides a total of $130.2 billion directly for broadband infrastructure for eligible municipalities and counties. Funds are available until December 2024. Funds must be used to make “necessary investments” in “water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.” § 603(c)(1)(A)(d).
A: U.S. Department of Commerce–National Telecommunications and Information Administration program (NTIA) administers the following programs:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant program provides $1 billion to expand broadband adoption and deployment on tribal lands, as well as to support distance learning, remote work, and telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open to tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on behalf of the Native Hawaiian Community, and native corporations.
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grant program provides $300 million for state-and-provider partnerships to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband, especially in rural areas. A covered partnership may use grant funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment required to provide qualifying broadband service, the cost of long-term leases of facilities required to provide qualifying broadband service, and finally for up to $50,0000 for reasonable pre-application expenses or grant preparation costs.
A: U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development ReConnect Program offers federal loans, grants, and combinations thereof to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. ReConnect loans and grants provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service to rural areas without sufficient broadband access.
Eligible applicants include corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), cooperative or mutual organizations, States or local governments (including any agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or political subdivision), a territory or possession of the United States, and an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)).
For more information about the ReConnect Program, please see https://www.usda.gov/reconnect.
A: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Community Connect Grants offers funding to eligible applicants that will construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. Specifically, funds will be used for the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for residential and business, and essential community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations). Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.
Eligible applicants include State and local governments, Federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits, for-profit corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs). For more information, please see https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants
A: U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants
This grant program helps rural communities acquire the technology and training necessary to connect educational and medical professionals with students, teachers, and patients in rural areas. Awards can range from $50,000 to $1 million, and a minimum 15 percent match is required and cannot be from another federal source. $44.5 million is to be disbursed by the end of FY 2021.
Eligible applicants will provide education or health care services through telecommunications facilities, including: State and local governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. Eligible areas include rural areas with populations of 20,000 or less.
The deadline for applications is June 4, 2021. For more information, please see https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants.
Are there any federal programs to subsidize affordable broadband-enabled devices?
A: Yes! The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) will launch May 12. In addition to a discounted service rate, the EBB offers a one-time discount of up to $100 per household for a desktop computer, laptop or tablet. The EBB program has $3.2 billion available for device and service plan discounts combined. For information about eligibility and application for this benefit, see https://getemergencybroadband.org/.
Additional resource: https://www.digitalinclusion.org/emergency-broadband-benefit/.
A: As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Emergency Connectivity Fund (EFC) was created to reimburse schools and libraries for internet access and connected devices for students and teachers for remote learning and remote library services. This legislation was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and the FCC must adopt rules providing for the distribution of funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund within 60 days of the date the law was enacted. The draft order and fact sheet were released on April 30, 2021, with the final order anticipated sometime in May.
The EFC provides $7.171 billion until September of 2030 for the purchase during the COVID-19 emergency. Funds will be used as 100% reimbursement of eligible equipment and advanced telecommunications and information services. Funding to schools will be used to connect schools, students, and staff to use at locations other than the school, while funding to libraries will be used to connect library patrons at locations other than the library. Included in eligible equipment for reimbursement under the EFC are: Wi-Fi hot spots, modems, routers, combination modem/router, and connected devices (specifically, laptops and tablets but not desktop computers).
Eligible applicants include qualifying elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries (including a Tribal elementary school, Tribal secondary school, or Tribal library) eligible for support under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 254(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)).
Are there federal programs that provide discounts on broadband service plans available?
A: The FCC Lifeline Program provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands. Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services at the same time. Lifeline also supports broadband internet service and broadband-voice bundles.
FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household. Lifeline recipients may also participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. For more information, see https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers.
A: The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), launching May 12, 2021 provides a discount on an eligible service plans, of up to $50/month for broadband service and associated equipment rentals per household. The EBB program has $3.2 billion available for device and service plan discounts combined. For information about eligibility and application for this benefit, see https://getemergencybroadband.org/.
How can I identify which internet service providers are participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A: You can find participating local internet service providers by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org/companies-near-me/, which will launch by May 12, 2021.
For Missouri centric information visit the Missouri Department of Economic Developments website.
Are there any materials I can use to spread the word about the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A: The FCC has provided a toolkit of outreach materials that you can customize for your needs. Visit https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-outreach-toolkit to download fliers, fact sheets, infographics and more.
What federal programs are providing funding for digital literacy education and training?
A: The NTIA Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides $285 million in total to eligible recipients in anchor communities for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel. Funds can be used for devices, service, adoption/digital literacy and hiring/training technology personnel (not infrastructure). It is open to historically Black and tribal colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and minority business enterprises and nonprofits.
For more information, please see https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/ for updates, including when the application window opens.
What federal programs can be used for rural telehealth?
A: The COVID-19 Telehealth Program can be used to fund rural telehealth. Formally adopted by the FCC on March 30, 2021, Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program established a $249.95 million federal initiative to help health care providers provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides immediate support to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services.
Applications opened at noon ET on Thursday, April 29, 2021, and will close at noon ET on Thursday, May 6, 2021. For more information, see https://www.fcc.gov/covid19telehealth and https://www.usac.org/about/covid-19-telehealth-program/.
What federal programs are available to allow students to access a more stable broadband connection?
A: The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program! Please see the FAQs regarding how EBB can assist with internet access and connected devices. For a full list of qualifying criteria for this program, visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/.
A: As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Emergency Connectivity Fund (EFC) was created to reimburse schools and libraries for internet access and connected devices for students and teachers for remote learning and remote library services. This legislation was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and the FCC must adopt rules providing for the distribution of funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund within 60 days of the date the law was enacted. The draft order and fact sheet were released on April 30, 2021, with the final order anticipated sometime in May.
The EFC provides $7.171 billion until September of 2030 for the purchase during the COVID-19 emergency. Funds will be used as 100% reimbursement of eligible equipment and advanced telecommunications and information services. Funding to schools will be used to connect schools, students, and staff to use at locations other than the school, while funding to libraries will be used to connect library patrons at locations other than the library. Included in eligible equipment for reimbursement under the EFC are: Wi-Fi hot spots, modems, routers, combination modem/router, and connected devices (specifically, laptops and tablets but not desktop computers).
Eligible applicants include qualifying elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries (including a Tribal elementary school, Tribal secondary school, or Tribal library) eligible for support under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 254(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)).
A: A second part of the American Rescue Plan Act, § 2001 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, provides for $122 billion available until 2023. The Department will award these grants—to state educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation.
Funds are to be used for technology for online learning; purchasing education technologies, such as software and hardware; and planning and implementing online learning programs during the summer.
For more information see https://oese.ed.gov/offices/ or this helpful webinar from Kajeet.
A. Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program provides $2.75 billion for non-public schools to address distance learning. Under the EANS program, the Department will award grants by formula to each Governor with an approved Certification and Agreement to provide services or assistance to eligible non-public schools to address the impact that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on non-public school students and teachers in the State. Eligible schools must have a required percentage of low-income students.
For more information on the EANS programs, see https://oese.ed.gov/offices/ and the webinar from Kajeet.
Is there funding to help with remote job training or other adult education?
A: The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration provided this FAQ (link to https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/coronavirus) to answer questions about how Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding can be used during the pandemic. Connect with the local Missouri Job Center (link to https://jobs.mo.gov/career-centers) to learn about distance-learning opportunities and the support services and devices offered to people affected by the pandemic who are looking to improve their skills.