Program Overview
The Innovation Fund aims to foster competition and innovation across the global telecommunications ecosystem, lower costs for consumers and network operators, and strengthen the 5G and successor wireless technology supply chains. The program’s objectives include unlocking opportunities for innovative companies, particularly small and medium enterprises, to compete in a market historically dominated by a few suppliers, some of which present a high security risk to the U.S. and its partners.
Participate in the Upcoming Information Session
MAY 17, 2024
10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM
MITRE 1 - 1H220, 7525 COLSHIRE DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA 21090
IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE AVAILABLE
The Innovation Fund facilitates these goals by advancing the adoption of open and interoperable wireless networks. Open and interoperable wireless networks offer numerous benefits over traditional, closed networks that will lower barriers of entry for new and emerging companies. Using open and interoperable wireless networks allows operators to procure the best solutions for their specific needs by mixing and matching network components, increasing competition, and driving innovation.
Key Focus Areas
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is the second in a series that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue and administer under the Innovation Fund. This NOFO is divided into two (2) specific research focus areas (SRFAs):
- SRFA 1: – Open Radio Unit (RU) Commercialization: Projects funded under SRFA 1 will focus on accelerating the development of open RU products to the point where they meet carrier needs and are ready for commercial trials; and
- SRFA 2: – Open RU Innovation: Projects funded under SRFA will focus on improving the overall performance and capabilities of open RUs through targeted research and development.
Innovation Fund NOFO 2 Program Snapshot
You can visit the Innovation Fund Program NOFO 2 Snapshot page or download a one-page summary of the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Program NOFO 2 Snapshot by clicking on the button below
Funding Availability
NTIA will award up to $420,000,000 under this NOFO. The amount of funding NTIA expects to award per project differs by SRFA as follows:
- SRFA 1:
- $25,000,000 – $45,000,000 per project.
- SRFA 2:
- $5,000,000 – $10,000,000 per project.
Application Period
Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on July 10, 2024.
Eligible Use(s) of Funds
Grant recipients may only use Federal award funds and any non-federal cost share committed by the recipient to pay for allowable costs under the Innovation Fund program. Allowable costs are determined by the provisions outlined in the NOFO and in accordance with the Federal cost principles identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.400, Subpart E. In addition, costs must be reasonable, necessary, allocable, and allowable for the proposed project, and must conform to generally accepted accounting principles as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.400, Subpart E.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility varies for each SRFA as follows:
SRFA 1: Eligible entities include U.S. and international for-profit companies, non-profit companies, institutions of higher education, industry groups, and partnerships consisting of two or more such entities. In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- They must be capable of production and commercial sale of Open RUs. Capability must be demonstrated in application materials.
- They must partner with at least one (1) Mobile Network Operator (MNO).
- They must demonstrate their intent and ability to deploy Open RU(s) at scale after the period of performance.
- The applicant or MNO partner or both must have Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) in the United States, its Territories, or its Possessions.
- Open RU development work must occur in the United States, its Territories, or its Possessions. Laboratory or field testing work, conducted with the MNO, may occur overseas.
The period of performance (POP) for SRFA 1 awards is expected to be 18-24 months. The POP may be less than 18 months, but not more than 24 months from the date of award.
SRFA 2: Eligible Entities include U.S. and international for-profit companies, non-profit companies, institutions of higher education, industry groups, and partnerships consisting of two or more such entities. All work under SRFA 2 must occur in the U.S. The POP for SRFA 2 awards is expected to be three to five years. The POP may be less than three years, but not more than five years from the date of award.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their materials via Grants.gov. NTIA encourages applicants to initiate the following two steps early, so they are set up for success during the NOFO application window.
- You must register with SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). An active registration is required at time of award. This process may take weeks so please ensure registration is done in sufficient time so that it does not impact your ability to meet submission deadlines.
- Register an account with Grants.gov. You must have obtained your UEI before registering on Grants.gov. Please fill in all organizational applicant information for the profile of the account. Communication regarding the grant will only be sent to the point of contact (POC) listed on the organizational profile.
Contacts
You can contact the Innovation Fund via Innovation Fund's email address.