Native Entity Digital Equity Funding at a Glance

Overview:

The Digital Equity Act makes funds available for a variety of digital equity related purposes. The information below can help Native Entities (Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations) to understand the various funding opportunities available and their role as outlined by statute.

de-act-native-entity-funding-at-a-glance-sept-2024.pdf

Document Content:

Program Name	State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: Native Entities* (NE Capacity & Planning Grant Program) *Includes both Capacity Grant Funds and Planning Grant Funds. Applicants must apply for either only Capacity Grant Funds, or both Capacity and Planning Grant Funds.	Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program including:
		GENERAL POOL FUNDING	SET-ASIDE
Eligible Entities	Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations	Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, or Native Hawaiian organizations are included within the definition of an Eligible Entity under the Digital Equity Act. Applications will be considered in the general pool funding.	Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, or Native Hawaiian organizations; All beneficiaries of the proposed activities and interventions must be members of a Native Entity.
Amount of Funding Available	$45,300,000, of which $3,300,000 is from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program and is for digital equity planning purposes, and $42,000,000 is from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and is available for digital equity and inclusion activities Applicants must apply for either only Capacity Grant Funds, OR both Capacity and Planning Grant Funds.	$750M through Fiscal Year 2024; additional $250M if FY2025 funds are made available	NTIA will reserve $37,500,000 for grant awards to Native Entities through FY2024 NTIA will reserve an additional $12,500,000 for Native Entities of FY2025 funds if made available
Cost Share/Matching	None	At least 10%; but may seek a waiver
Application Window	9/25/24 – 2/7/25	7/24/24-9/23/24
Expected Award Size	$500K-$2M	$5M - $12M
Methods to Apply	Electronically: NTIA Grants Portal By email By paper: via mail or courier	Electronically: NTIA Grants Portal
Period of Performance	Five-year period of performance	Four-year period of performance + one year period of evaluation
Authorization to Apply	Consortium applications are encouraged. Each Native Entity can only submit one (1) application. Applicants that submit an individual application cannot also be part of a consortium application. A Native Entity may only participate in one consortium.	Partnership applications are encouraged. Must include a Letter of Commitment from each member of the Partnership. Can submit an application and participate as a Partner in other Partnership applications.
Cost Share/Matching	May appoint a non-profit corporation authorized by the governing body of the Native Entity to administer Capacity and Planning Grant Funds on behalf of the eligible Native Entity. If a Native Entity intends to utilize an authorized non-profit organization for this purpose, the Native Entity should identify the organization in its application and discuss the role and activities of such organization.	Tribal Government Resolution or equivalent formal authorization from the governing body of the Native Entity providing express authority to file an application for Competitive Grant Funds.