This announcement was worth the wait!  Today, NTIA is proud to announce a nearly $1 billion Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. This is the first funding opportunity from the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, the third of the three Digital Equity Act programs.    Now, non-profits, local educational agencies, workforce development organizations, political subdivisions, agencies, state instrumentalities, Tribes, Alaska Native entities, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other community anchor institutions will be able to apply for Competitive Grant Program funds. Territories are also eligible for funds under this funding opportunity.  These competitive grants will resource initiatives that support populations most impacted by digital divides. Low-income households, older adults, justice-impacted people, people living with disabilities, rural communities, and racial and ethnic minority groups are among the populations served by this program. Additionally, competitive grant investments are an essential complement to broadband deployment strategies.    We need you. NTIA is calling on organizations, large and small, to scale efforts to expand digital opportunities. Your organization’s work to ensure telehealth access, promote skills training, optimize small business connectivity, and various other initiatives enables households nationwide to participate in the digital economy.   Interested applicants are encouraged to act now!  Review the Digital Equity Competitive Grant NOFO and Application Resources. The application deadline is September 23, 2024. Learn about how your state or territory plans to expand digital opportunities at internetforall.gov.  Subscribe to the BroadbandUSA Newsletter to receive NTIA e-mail updates.  Follow NTIA on social media or on our website at www.ntia.gov for information.  Check out the Digital Equity Technical Assistance Hub for application help.  Develop a timeline for completing your application.  Begin gathering partnership letters and authorizations, both written and signed. These letters provide credibility and expertise, and will further your project’s reach. 
  For more information on creating data-driven applications and other Internet for All initiatives, view the following resources:  NTIA Internet for All Digital Equity Page Digital Equity Act Population Viewer
  Register for the informational webinar on July 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET. For all other concerns, questions, and resources, please reach out to NTIA at digitalequity@ntia.gov
Let’s make “Internet for All” a reality.  
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