NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Key Information for Applicants | Call to Action
Nevada’s vision for digital equity is that by 2029, All Nevadans have access to affordable, reliable, scalable high-speed internet, a connected device, and the digital skills and support needed to safely and securely work, learn, and thrive. No single funding source can close the digital divide and collectively, we must take advantage of all opportunities available to secure the funding we need.
One such opportunity is currently available and the time to act is now. The $1.25 Billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) has been released and is accepting applications. OSIT strongly encourages eligible entities in Nevada to work together and apply for funding. Here’s what you should know:
- Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted before September 23, 2024, at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Number of Awards: NTIA anticipates 150 - 200 awards grants. We expect an accelerated award timeline with awards made prior to the end of January, 2025.
- Award Size: NTIA has stated awards will range between $5 million and $12 million.
- Match: NTIA requires a minimum 10 percent match, either cash or in-kind.
- Award Duration: Four years from award date.
- Eligible projects: Allowable activities include helping members of one or more Covered Population: adopt broadband, implement training programs that cover computing skills or cybersecurity, develop digital literacy and skills, acquire and maintain functioning connected devices, seek employment or educational opportunities and develop workplace skills, and build or upgrade public computing access centers.
- The Role of OSIT: State Broadband Offices, including OSIT, are not eligible applicants for this grant. OSIT will support a limited number of applications upon request if the:
OSIT encourages potential applicants to consider the following information when applying.
- NTIA Priorities: NTIA will focus on funding projects that address the root causes of digital inequity and align with the folliwng priorities:
- Applications that specifically identify how the strategies and activities will address the needs of Covered Populations and their subgroups
- Applications that can show, with data, the measurable impact of the proposed strategies on identified needs of Covered Populations
- Applications that demonstrate stakeholders within Covered Populations were asked for feedback and that feedback was incorporated into the application
- Applications that can demonstrate sustainability
- Applications that clearly articulate how the strategies and activities address systemic barriers an gaps specific to Covered Populations
- Applications that propose measurable strategies and activities and describe clearly how the proposed program will be measurable
- Partnerships: Because of the anticipated size of awards telegraphed by NTIA, OSIT believes that only applicants with strong partnerships that extend across regions and Covered Population types, clearly articulated goals that align with NTIA’s priorities and the Statewide Digital Equity Plan, carefully articulated strategies, and demonstrated capacity to implement federal grants will be successful. OSIT encourages entities with capacity, including counties, cities, and regional non-profits, to organize and aggregate distributed efforts in order to ensure a sufficiently strong application. In an effort to facilitate match-making, OSIT has created a brief, voluntary survey for organizations seeking Competitive grant application partners to connect. The survey asks for basic contact information and areas of interest and results will be posted publicly, results are posted publicly here.
Statewide Digital Equity Plan
In Nevada, the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) is charged with developing and realizing a digital equity vision for the state. The Digital Equity Act, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), invited states to establish a vision for digital equity that will guide overarching strategies and goals. OSIT took a comprehensive approach to developing and crafting a statewide digital equity plan. Following public comment, that plan was submitted to and accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). NTIA’s acceptance of the plan has unlocked funding for OSIT to begin to implement the strategies and activities we describe in the plan. OSIT is in the process of applying for these funds and expects funds to be available for competitive solicitation in late 2024 or early 2025. More updates to this timeline will be forthcoming as OSIT learns more from NTIA.
OSIT is pleased to present its Statewide Digital Equity Plan. Digital Equity is an important part of the High Speed Nevada Initiative. This plan is the result of thousands of hours, miles, and conversations with Nevadans from all corners of the state.
The Planning Process
The digital equity planning process is an essential part of the High Speed Nevada Initiative and the State’s goal that every Nevadan has access to affordable, reliable and scalable Internet service.
In October 2022, the State of Nevada received a $754,458 Digital Equity Planning Grant from the US Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which will be an essential part of the State's goal for the High Speed Nevada Initiative.
What is Digital Equity?
Digital equity is a term that refers to whether Nevadans can afford access to a fast, reliable home Internet service, have a connected device, and have the digital literacy needed to use the Internet to learn, earn and live well. Over the next six to nine months, OSIT will use the planning dollars to create a statewide digital equity plan. Once the plan is approved by the NTIA, the State will unlock additional funding to implement the plan.
As a part of the statewide planning process, OSIT will work with communities across the state to assess digital equity needs and barriers, create an inventory of digital equity assets and partners, including existing resources and strategies that promote digital equity, and develop an implementation strategy in partnership with key stakeholders once additional funding is received.
To kick off the planning process, OSIT has mapped a digital divide index that geographically measures the level of digital distress across the state. Based on a preliminary review of the data, the following are among the communities that are more likely to be digitally distressed that OSIT will seek to understand during its planning process:
- low-income households
- aging populations
- veterans
- rural residents
- residents of multi-dwelling or multi-family housing
- racial and ethnic minorities
- individuals with language barriers
- individuals with disabilities
Mapping Resources
Affordable Internet Options by County
Low-cost internet plans exist within most Nevada counties and are listed below. If your company is listed and you would like to make changes to the published prices or if you are a new company that has an offering that meets the criteria, please contact us at HighspeedNV@gov.nv.gov.
Add Your Voice to the State Digital Equity Plan
If you are interested in adding your voice to the planning process, please provide your information here.
Resources for ACP Households: April 2024 is the last month that currently enrolled ACP households will receive their full ACP discount. After May 2024, unless Congress provides additional funding, the program will end. As a part of the FCC’s ongoing efforts to ensure clear and consistent consumer education about the program, the Consumer Affairs & Outreach Division (CAOD) has developed new outreach partner resources available at www.fcc.gov/acp including: