The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. This program was established by the Digital Equity Act, which was passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program provides $60 million for States, DC, Territories, and Tribal entities to develop Digital Equity Plans, which are a required first step for the larger $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. The purpose of these programs is to provide resources to state and community organizations to help scale digital literacy programs promoting adoption and use of high-speed internet service.
Governors must appoint administering entities, which can be states, agencies, community institutions, etc., and the appointed entities must submit planning applications or letters of intent by July 12, 2022.
