Innovation Fund Round 3 (2024) Industry Vertical Solutions, Integration Automation Solutions

Open and interoperable wireless networks offer numerous benefits over traditional, closed networks and will lower the 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.

• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Key Focus Areas

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is the third 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 – Industry Vertical Solutions: Develop software solutions that leverage data made available through Open RAN interfaces and/or capitalize on Open RAN-specific innovations, such as the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), to generate energy efficiencies, cost savings, productivity gains, or other value for industry verticals (e.g., utilities, mining, manufacturing, unmanned aviation).
• SRFA 2 – Integration Automation Solutions: Develop software solutions that reduce the cost and complexity of multi-vendor integration through automation.

Funding Availability

NTIA will award up to $450,000,000 under this NOFO. The amount of funding NTIA expects to award per project differs by SRFA as follows:

• SRFA 1: 
  • $24,000,000 – $50,000,000 per project.
• SRFA 2:
  • $9,000,000 – $18,000,000 per project.

Application Period

Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on March 17, 2025.

Upcoming NOFO 3 Information Session

NTIA will hold a NOFO 3 Information Session on January 10, 2025. This event will provide a forum for potential applicants, their partners, and industry members to learn more about the program’s third NOFO and ask the program team questions. Please visit the registration page for more information and to register for the event.

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 in accordance with the Federal cost principles identified in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, 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. Part 200, Subpart E.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility varies for each SRFA as follows:

SRFA 1: SRFA 1 applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. The applicant must be capable of developing, integrating, and commercially selling and/or deploying software solutions that leverage data and/or features made accessible through Open RAN interfaces for use by vertical industry customers. This capability must be demonstrated in application materials.
2. The applicant must partner with at least one entity to facilitate collaboration across the value chain. This collaboration is critical to expanding market opportunities for Open RAN suppliers and operators.
3. The applicant and their partner(s) must collectively be capable of fulfilling the three functions described below. This capability must be demonstrated in application materials.
   1. Software Function: The project must include the design and integration of a software solution across a network, leveraging Open RAN components to access new or previously untapped sources of data or unique open RAN innovations, such as the RIC.
   2. Vertical Function: The project must include vertical-specific expertise and requirements (i.e., for the use case that the solution will address) to ensure the solution meets the business needs of a potential customer.
   3. Network Function: The project must include a network in which the solution can be deployed to demonstrate its technical and commercial viability, with the potential for expansion into additional networks after the period of performance.
4. The applicant and partner(s) can be based in the U.S. or abroad. However, either the applicant or at least one partner must hold Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) in the U.S., its territories, and possessions. UBO will be validated by the SAM Registration or SF-328 of each party. If neither the applicant nor any partners meet the UBO requirement, the application will be disqualified.

The period of performance (POP) of SRFA 1 awards is expected to be 18-36 months. The POP may be fewer than 18 months but shall not exceed 36 months from the date of award.

SRFA 2: SRFA 2 applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants must be capable of developing and commercially selling and/or deploying RAN network integration automation prototypes.
2. Applicants must partner with a minimum of three (3) different RAN suppliers. The applicant must demonstrate that the applicant and partners collectively are capable of designing, developing, and testing integration automation prototypes. At a minimum, the prototype developed under this NOFO must automate integration between an Open RU from one supplier and an Open DU/CU from another supplier. NTIA encourages applicants and their partners to develop solutions that enable functionality across additional interfaces.
3. The applicant and partner(s) can be based in the United States or abroad. However, either the applicant or at least one partner must hold UBO in the U.S., its territories, and possessions. UBO will be validated by the SAM Registration or SF-328 of each party. If neither the applicant nor any partners meet the UBO requirement, the application will be disqualified.

The POP of SRFA 2 awards is expected to be 12-18 months. The POP may be fewer than 12 months but shall not exceed 18 months 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.

1. You must register with SAM.gov at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration 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.
2. Register an account with Grants.gov at How to Apply for Grants | 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 at the following email address: innovationfund@ntia.gov.