Broadband grants and funding opportunities

Who: Funding is to be directed to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S.

Fund allocations and highlights:
+ $42.5B for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). NTIA will distribute the funding to states, which in turn will distribute grants to operators and service providers to build in unserved areas.
+ $2.75B for digital equity grants to states.
+ $2B for broadband grants and loans. distributed by the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.
+ $2B for Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program grants.
+ $1B for middle-mile network grants.
+ $600M in Private Activity Bonds for broadband projects.

Who: Funding to be directed to Tribal governments and bodies to be used for broadband infrastructure on tribal lands.

Grants will be directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband infrastructure deployment on tribal lands; affordable broadband programs including free or reduced-cost broadband service and preventing disconnection of existing service; and telehealth, distance learning, digital inclusion, and broadband adoption activities.

Who: Partnerships between a state-owned and a fixed broadband service provider.

Win-win, shared-risk scenarios as between public and private entities: projects in which public entities fund, build, and maintain communications infrastructure assets and their private partners operate those networks and provide services to the public.

Who: 5.4m census blocks locations.

Ph 1: entirely unserved by voice and broadband, Ph 2: Remaining unserved and partially served census locations.

Funds are dispersed via reverse auction. A two-step application process includes a short and long-form, the latter needed after funds are awarded.
Ensure networks stand the test of time by prioritizing higher speeds and lower latency.

Who: Eligible rural areas

ReConnect furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to deliver high-speed broadband. In Phase 3 this year, USDA is distributing the funding as grants — a departure from the first two rounds of ReConnect.

Who: States, territories and Tribal governments with critical capital needs.

The Capital Projects Fund allows for investment in high-quality broadband as well as other connectivity infrastructure, devices, and equipment. In addition to supporting broadband, it also provides flexibility for each state, territory, and Tribal government to make other investments in critical community hubs or capital assets that provide access jointly to work, education, and health monitoring.

Who: Eligible state, territorial, metropolitan city, county, and Tribal governments. Local governments designated as non-entitlement units are eligible to receive this funding from their applicable state government.

The American Rescue Plan provides emergency funding, including:
$195 billion for states, (a minimum of $500 million for each State);
$130 billion for local governments
$20 billion for tribal governments
$4.5 billion for territories

The Rescue Plan will lay the foundation for a strong and equitable economic recovery, and provide resources for infrastructure, including water, sewer, and broadband services.