Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program | NTIA ICG TBCPO 2023 2008098

Opportunity Information: Apply for NTIA ICG TBCPO 2023 2008098

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) is a federal grant opportunity administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers the second round of TBCP grants and explains the rules, eligibility requirements, and expectations applicants must follow to compete for funding. The program was originally authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) and later expanded and amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58). In practical terms, this is part of the federal government’s larger effort to close persistent connectivity gaps and make sure Tribal communities are not left behind as broadband becomes essential infrastructure for daily life.

At its core, TBCP is designed to fund projects that expand both access to broadband and the actual adoption and use of broadband on Tribal Lands. The opportunity supports two main types of work. First, it funds deployment and expansion of broadband service on Tribal Land, which can include building out or improving infrastructure so that more households and community anchor institutions can obtain reliable high-speed service. Second, it funds programs that help people use broadband in meaningful ways, especially to reach essential services like remote learning, telework, and telehealth. That second category is important because it recognizes that availability alone is not enough; communities often need affordability supports, devices, training, and locally relevant programs to turn a connection into real educational, economic, and health benefits.

The funding mechanism is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding activity area. The program is listed under CFDA number 11.029. The official funding opportunity title is "Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program" and the opportunity number is "NTIA ICG TBCPO 2023 2008098." While the eligible applicant category is broadly labeled as "Others," the NOFO indicates that eligibility is limited to specific "Eligible Entities" as defined in the program rules, with additional detail provided in the eligibility section of the NOFO. In other words, an applicant cannot assume eligibility based solely on the generic label in the summary; the controlling definitions and requirements are in the full notice.

This round anticipated making a large number of awards, with an estimated 200 grants expected. The award ceiling listed is $50,000,000, meaning individual awards could be as large as fifty million dollars, depending on project scope, need, and NTIA’s decisions under the NOFO criteria. The opportunity was created on July 27, 2023, and the original application closing date was January 23, 2024, establishing the submission window for applicants competing in this second round.

Overall, the program is aimed at supporting Tribes and other eligible Tribal entities in building out broadband networks where they are missing or inadequate, while also backing practical, community-centered efforts that help residents take advantage of broadband for school, work, and healthcare. The NOFO itself is the key document that lays out what NTIA will fund, how applications are evaluated, what costs are allowable, and what compliance and reporting requirements awardees must meet, with Section A identified as the place to look for the full program description.

• The Department of Commerce in the infrastructure investment and jobs act (iija) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.029.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 27, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 23, 2024. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 200 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NTIA ICG TBCPO 2023 2008098

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