Broadband Infrastructure Program

Overview 

Status: Projects Underway 

The Broadband Infrastructure Program is a $288 million program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to build partnerships between states, local jurisdictions, and Internet service providers. The goal of the Program is to expand Internet access to areas without service, especially to rural areas. By prioritizing infrastructure and deployment projects, it endeavors to ensure that more communities can connect to the digital world, marking a significant step towards universal Internet access. 

Key Dates 

The application window for this program launched on May 19, 2021, and closed on August 17, 2021. Awards were made in March 2022 and run through mid-2025.  

Who Can Apply 

To be eligible for a grant under the Broadband Infrastructure Program, the covered partnership must have submitted an application that describes the following:  

• Covered Partnership 
• Covered Broadband Project 
• Proposed Service Area 
• Other Federal & State Support 

Notes: 

• Each Covered Partnership was permitted to submit only one application for this grant program.  
• A Covered Partnership may have included more than one provider of fixed broadband services in its application. 
• A provider of fixed broadband services may have applied to participate in more than one Covered Partnership. 

Eligible Uses of Funding 

A covered partnership may use grant funds to fund: 

• The costs of construction, improvement, and/or acquisition of facilities and equipment required to provide qualifying broadband service, including infrastructure for backhaul, middle and last mile networks; 
• The cost of long-term leases (for terms greater than one year) of facilities required to provide qualifying broadband service, including indefeasible right-of-use (IRU) agreements;  
• Cost of engineering design, permitting and work related to environmental, historical and cultural reviews; 
• Personnel costs, including salaries and fringe benefits for staff and consultants required for the implementation of the Broadband Infrastructure Program (such as project managers, program directors, subject matter experts, grant administrators, financial analysts, accountants, and attorneys); 

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued this NOFO to invite covered partnerships to submit applications for the Broadband Infrastructure Program, provide information on the amount of funding available for award, discuss how it will allocate funds to qualifying applicants, give instructions on the application process, and describe the evaluation criteria for application review and the factors for award selection.  

You can find full details about this program in the Notice of Funding Opportunity NOFO. 

Award Synopsis 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded more than $287 million to 14 recipients as part of the Broadband Infrastructure Program 

Click here to learn more about Broadband Infrastructure Program Funding Recipients.

Contacts 

Grantee Support: Grant recipients may contact the grant program team via BBInfra@NTIA.gov. Grants.gov provides 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.