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Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

ID: NTIA-CMCPP-2021 • Type: Posted

Description

NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 902, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) ( the Act ). The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants for the expansion of broadband internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. The Act authorizes new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities: for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise (MBE); or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Act also authorizes grants to a consortium, led by an eligible recipient institution (i.e., educational institution), that includes an MBE or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. See Section I of this NOFO for the full Program Description.

Background
NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 902, Public Law 116-260. The purpose of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program is to provide federal funding to eligible recipients in anchor communities for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise (MBE); or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Grant Details
NTIA will directly address the lack of broadband access, connectivity, adoption and equity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and in their surrounding anchor communities. The Act authorizes new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities for various purposes. NTIA seeks to expand educational instruction and remote learning opportunities, spur economic development, create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship by building the digital capacity of the eligible institutions and furthering broadband access, adoption, and digital skills within those institutions and in their surrounding anchor communities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible recipients include historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), Minority-serving institutions (MSIs), or a consortium led by these institutions that includes a minority business enterprise (MBE) or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Additionally, an eligible recipient must be in an 'anchor community,' defined as having an estimated median annual household income of not more than 250% of the poverty line.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for grants issued pursuant to this program is two years unless extended in writing by the Grants Officer.

Grant Value
NTIA will make up to $268,000,000 available for federal assistance under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. NTIA expects to make awards within the funding range of $500,000 to $3,000,000.

Place of Performance
Anchor communities are defined as areas not more than 15 miles from HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs with an estimated median annual household income of not more than 250% of the poverty line.

Overview

Category of Funding
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
On 8/3/21 National Telecommunications and Information Administration posted grant opportunity NTIA-CMCPP-2021 for Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The grant will be issued under grant program 11.028 Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.

Timing

Posted Date
Aug. 3, 2021, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Dec. 1, 2021, 12:00 a.m. EST Past Due
Last Updated
Nov. 9, 2021, 4:00 p.m. EST
Version
3
Archive Date
Dec. 31, 2021

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
The Act defines an eligible recipient as: (1) a historically Black college or university (HBCU); (2) a Tribal College or University (TCU); (3) a Minority-serving institution (MSI); or (4) a consortium that is led by a historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or University, or a Minority-serving institution and that also includes: (a) an MBE; or (b) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code. Additionally, an eligible recipient must be in an “anchor community,” defined in part as having an estimated median annual household income of not more than two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the poverty line. A consortium is eligible for a grant under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program if it is led by an eligible institution as defined above.

Contacts

Contact
Christopher Holt Broadband Communications Specialist
Contact Email
Email Description
Agency Contact
Contact Phone
(202) 482-4884

Documents

Posted documents for NTIA-CMCPP-2021

Grant Awards

Grants awarded through NTIA-CMCPP-2021

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