Opportunity Information: Apply for NTIA BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM 21
The BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. It was created through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), specifically Division N, Title IX, Section 905, and it is designed to put new federal dollars toward building out broadband infrastructure in areas that lack adequate service. The program is framed to support deployment that expands real, usable fixed broadband access, with an emphasis on getting infrastructure built rather than funding unrelated activities.
At a high level, NTIA uses this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to lay out how applicants can compete for grants to deploy broadband infrastructure. Awards are made on a competitive basis, meaning eligible applicants submit proposals and NTIA selects projects based on the NOFO criteria rather than distributing funds by formula. The program is described as "competitively and technologically neutral," which signals that NTIA is not limiting applicants to a single network technology as long as the proposed solution meets the program requirements. The core focus is on fixed broadband deployment that delivers "qualifying broadband service" in an "eligible service area," terms that are defined in the NOFO and the underlying statute.
A key structural feature of this program is that funding is directed to "covered partnerships" proposing "covered broadband projects." In practical terms, this indicates that NTIA expects collaborative applications rather than single-entity proposals, with the partnership structure and qualifying relationships spelled out in the NOFO's eligibility section. The funded work must be a covered broadband project, meaning the project must involve deploying fixed broadband infrastructure and must be targeted to service areas that meet the eligibility rules. The intent is to ensure federal funds go to places that truly need broadband expansion and that the buildout results in service that meets the program's qualifying thresholds.
From the opportunity record, this is a discretionary grant (not an entitlement), listed under CFDA 11.031, and categorized under "Other" for funding activity with clarification provided in the full NOFO. The estimated scale suggests a relatively large number of awards (an expected 200), implying that NTIA anticipated funding many projects across multiple locations rather than a small number of very large statewide awards. The posted award ceiling in the source data is listed as 0, which typically means the ceiling was not captured in that field or is defined elsewhere in the NOFO rather than being absent in reality; applicants would need to rely on the NOFO text for any per-award maximums, match requirements, or budget constraints.
Timing details in the record show the opportunity was created May 19, 2021, with an original closing date of August 17, 2021. The agency identified is the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the opportunity number is listed as "NTIA BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM 21." While the source data summarizes the purpose and statutory authority, the NOFO itself is where applicants would find the detailed program description, definitions (for eligible areas and qualifying service), partnership requirements, application contents, scoring and selection factors, compliance obligations, and post-award reporting expectations.Apply for NTIA BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM 21
- The Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Admini in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.031.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 19, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 200 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Broadband Infrastructure Program (NTIA) FAQs
1) What is the Broadband Infrastructure Program?
The Broadband Infrastructure Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. It was created to put new federal dollars toward building out broadband infrastructure in areas that lack adequate service, with a clear emphasis on getting infrastructure built.
2) Who administers this grant program?
The program is administered by NTIA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
3) What law created and authorizes the program?
The program was created through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), specifically Division N, Title IX, Section 905.
4) Is this funding competitive or formula-based?
This is a competitive program. Eligible applicants submit proposals and NTIA selects projects based on the criteria described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), rather than distributing funds by formula.
5) What does "discretionary grant" mean in this context?
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant, meaning funding is not guaranteed and awards are made based on NTIA's competitive selection process and the NOFO criteria (it is not an entitlement program).
6) What is the main purpose of the Broadband Infrastructure Program?
The program is designed to support deployment that expands real, usable fixed broadband access in areas that lack adequate service. The program is framed to prioritize building broadband infrastructure rather than funding unrelated activities.
7) What kinds of projects does this program fund?
Funding is directed to "covered broadband projects." Based on the opportunity description, this means projects that deploy fixed broadband infrastructure in eligible service areas, delivering "qualifying broadband service" as defined in the NOFO and the underlying statute.
8) Is the program limited to one broadband technology (for example, only fiber)?
No. The program is described as "competitively and technologically neutral," which indicates NTIA is not limiting applicants to a single network technology, as long as the proposed solution meets program requirements.
9) What is meant by "fixed broadband" in the program description?
The program focus is on fixed broadband deployment. The NOFO is where the detailed definitions and requirements would be provided, including what qualifies as fixed broadband for purposes of this program.
10) What is a "qualifying broadband service"?
"Qualifying broadband service" is a defined term referenced in the opportunity summary. The specific qualifying thresholds and definition are provided in the NOFO and the underlying statute.
11) What is an "eligible service area"?
An "eligible service area" is another defined term referenced in the opportunity description. The eligibility rules for service areas are set out in the NOFO and the underlying statute and are intended to ensure federal funds go to places that truly need broadband expansion.
12) What is a "covered partnership" and why does it matter?
A key feature of the program is that funding is directed to "covered partnerships" proposing "covered broadband projects." In practical terms, NTIA is signaling that it expects collaborative applications rather than single-entity proposals, with the exact partnership structure and qualifying relationships spelled out in the NOFO eligibility section.
13) Can a single organization apply on its own?
The summary emphasizes that funding is directed to covered partnerships and indicates NTIA expects collaborative applications rather than single-entity proposals. The NOFO is the controlling document for the formal eligibility rules and partnership requirements.
14) Where are the official requirements and definitions located?
The NOFO is the primary source for detailed requirements, including: program description, definitions (eligible areas and qualifying service), partnership requirements, required application contents, scoring and selection factors, compliance obligations, and post-award reporting expectations.
15) What is the opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity number is listed as "NTIA BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM 21."
16) What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The opportunity record lists the program under CFDA 11.031.
17) How many awards were expected?
The record indicates an expected 200 awards, suggesting NTIA anticipated funding many projects across multiple locations rather than only a small number of very large awards.
18) Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling in the source data is listed as 0. This typically indicates the ceiling was not captured in that particular field or is defined elsewhere in the NOFO. Applicants should rely on the NOFO for any per-award maximums, match requirements, or budget constraints.
19) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under "Other" for funding activity, with additional clarification provided in the full NOFO.
20) When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The record shows the opportunity was created on May 19, 2021, with an original closing date of August 17, 2021.
21) Which federal department and agency are associated with the opportunity?
The agency identified is the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
22) What does it mean that awards are made "based on the NOFO criteria"?
It means NTIA evaluates and selects proposals using the scoring factors and selection standards described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, rather than automatically funding all eligible applicants or allocating funds by a fixed formula.
23) What should applicants review to understand compliance and reporting after an award?
The opportunity summary states that compliance obligations and post-award reporting expectations are detailed in the NOFO.
24) What is the program trying to avoid funding?
The description emphasizes that the program is focused on broadband infrastructure buildout and is framed to prioritize deployment that expands usable fixed broadband access rather than funding unrelated activities.
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