Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

Agency: National Telecommunications and Information Admini

11.028 -- Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 902, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) (“the Act”). The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants for the expansion of broadband internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. The Act authorizes new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities: for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise (MBE); or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Act also authorizes grants to a consortium, led by an eligible recipient institution (i.e., educational institution), that includes an MBE or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. See Section I of this NOFO for the full Program Description.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

The Act defines an eligible recipient as: (1) a historically Black college or university (HBCU); (2) a Tribal College or University (TCU); (3) a Minority-serving institution (MSI); or (4) a consortium that is led by a historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or University, or a Minority-serving institution and that also includes: (a) an MBE; or (b) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code. Additionally, an eligible recipient must be in an “anchor community,” defined in part as having an estimated median annual household income of not more than two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the poverty line. A consortium is eligible for a grant under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program if it is led by an eligible institution as defined above.

Grantor contact information

Description

Scott Woods Senior Broadband Program Specialist Phone 202.482.1713

Email

Agency Contact

swoods@ntia.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
Proposed_CMC_NOFO_Amendment_Cover_Sheet.pdf	Amendment #2 Memo	Nov 9, 2021 09:16 PM UTC
CMC_Pilot_Program_NOFO_Amendment_.pdf	NTIA-CMCPP-2021 NOFO Document	Nov 10, 2021 02:56 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Archived: December 31, 2021

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$--

Program Funding

Expected awards

$--

Award Minimum

$--

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

NTIA-CMCPP-2021

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Science technology and other research and development

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

August 3, 2021

Archive date:

December 31, 2021