Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program

NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 905(c), Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) (Act). The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program provides new federal funding for grants to eligible entities to expand access to and adoption of: (i) broadband service on Tribal Land; or (ii) for programs that promote the use of broadband to access remote learning, telework, or telehealth resources during the COVID–19 pandemic. See Section A. of this NOFO for the full description of this program.

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Section 905(a)(8) of the Act specifies the following entities as eligible to receive grants pursuant to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program: (i) a Tribal Government; (ii) a Tribal College or University; (iii) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on behalf of the Native Hawaiian Community, including Native Hawaiian Education Programs; (iv) a Tribal organization; or (v) an Alaska Native Corporation. There are several instances where applicants will need to obtain a Tribal Government Resolution. Each “eligible entity” must coordinate internally (which includes all departments, subsidiaries, etc.) in submitting its single application. In an instance where one “eligible entity” is a subsidiary of another (e.g., a Tribal Government and a subsidiary Tribal College or University), this shall not affect the subsidiary’s eligibility to submit its own application, so long as it includes the requisite Tribal Government Resolution. See Section C of this NOFO for additional information concerning the eligibility requirements for this program.

Agency Contacts: Adam Geisler National Tribal Government Liaison Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 4874 Washington, DC 20230 Phone: (202) 631-1188 Email: adam.geisler@firstnet.gov Grant management inquiries to: Nicola Bell National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Grants Management Division 1325 East West Highway, Room 9340, (SSMC2) Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 Phone: (301) 628-1328 Email: Nicola.Bell@noaa.gov Media Inquiries: Stephen F. Yusko Public Affairs Specialist Office of Public Affairs National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4897 Washington, DC 20230 Phone: (202) 482-7002 Email: press@ntia.doc.gov