Publications

The third grant program funded by the Digital Equity Act of 2021 is the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The information below can guide organizations as they Get Ready to prepare their applications.

Understanding the DE Competitive Grant Program: What You Need to Know

The Digital Equity Act programs focus on empowering those most impacted by the digital divide, referred to as “Covered Populations.”  The Covered Populations are:   

States and territories are required to coordinate with a variety of stakeholder groups on the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) programs and must document their local coordination and outreach activities. This involves providing a detailed description of their efforts to engage Tribal and local governments, community groups, industry, union and worker organizations, and underrepresented populations (among others) in their BEAD Five-Year Action Plan, Initial Proposal, and Final Proposal.

Overview

The State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (Capacity Grant Program), authorized by Section 60304(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021), also commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides federal funding to equip individuals and communities with the skills and tools needed for full participation in society and the economy.