Initial Proposal Funding Request Guidance

The below guidance is for informational purposes only and is intended solely to assist Eligible Entities in better understanding the NTIA BEAD program, the requirements set forth in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this program, and relevant follow-on guidance.

The guidance does not and is not intended to supersede, modify, or otherwise alter applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, or the specific application requirements set forth in the NOFO. In all cases, statutory and regulatory mandates, and the requirements set forth in the NOFO, shall prevail over any inconsistencies contained in the below guidance.

Introduction

The Initial Proposal Funding Request includes requirements to request funding allocations. Although the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not require an Eligible Entity to submit an Initial Proposal Funding Request with its Initial Proposal, it is highly recommended that Eligible Entities request funding to accelerate their access to, and use of, funds.

• Eligible Entities may request 20 percent of their total funding allocation (or a higher percentage, which may be approved at the sole discretion of the Assistant Secretary), for uses as described in the BEAD NOFO, Section V.H. NTIA encourages Eligible Entities to request their full allocation at this time, so long as the Eligible Entity properly justifies the request in its submission, as discussed in the next paragraph.

The Eligible Entity will include a justification for funds requested in the IPFR submission via the Project Narrative and Consolidated Budget Form, as well as in Requirement 17 of Volume II of the Initial Proposal. If the Eligible Entity is requesting more than 20 percent of grant funds, the Eligible Entity must also provide a rationale to demonstrate a specific need for those additional funds (e.g., anti-deficiency clause). If applicable, the Eligible Entity must indicate funds that it proposes to expend on eligible uses upon Initial Proposal and IPFR approval and those that it would propose to use contingent upon Final Proposal approval. Additional information on funding scenarios is in the guidance for Requirement 17: Use of 20 Percent of Funding.