The purpose of the State Digital Equity Grant Program is 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 of those States. Subgrants will be made in support of the State's Digital Equity Plan and digital inclusion activities in the State generally.
The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program supports the creation of community-centric solutions. It provides resources to community organizations to help scale digital literacy programs. These programs give people the skills they need to effectively use the internet. Funds will support projects that promote meaningful adoption and use of high-speed internet service. Projects should aim to help the following groups:
Governors must appoint an "administering entity." This entity must be one of, or a partnership between, the following:
All entities have been approved. States and territories have begun to offer deadlines for funding with their State Digital Equity Capacity Grants.
State Digital Equity Plans will include the following information:
States, territories, Washington D.C. and tribal governments are eligible recipients for these funds.
These entities may provide sub-grants to the following sub-recipients:
Deadlines vary by state.
Grant awards to Eligible States will be based upon the statutory formula established in the Digital Equity Act and will depend on the number and characteristics of the States that apply. Tentative allocations can be found in the NOFO. Grant awards to the U.S. Territories will be made as an equal distribution of the territorial set aside. Grant awards to Native Entities will be awarded on a competitive basis and will depend upon the number of applicants and the size of the proposals submitted.
Congress has appropriated $840 million for grants under the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program through fiscal year 2024.
No less than one (1) percent of the total amount of funding will be made available to Territories ($8.4 million) and no less than five percent of the total amount of funding will be made available to Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations ($42 million).
Future NOFOs are expected to make up to an additional $300 million available for implementation of Digital Equity Plans and digital inclusion activities in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026.