The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it will issue a new Notice of Funding Opportunity for a competitive broadband grant program, with applications slated to open in December.
Program scope after court ruling
The Digital Equity Act, which created the Competitive Grant Program, originally listed eight covered populations eligible for funding. Those groups include low‑income households, seniors aged 60 and older, incarcerated individuals (excluding those in federal facilities), veterans, people with disabilities, those facing language barriers, and residents of rural areas.
A recent court decision removed the category for individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group. The ruling leaves the remaining seven categories intact, meaning the grant will still target a broad range of underserved communities.
While the exclusion narrows the program’s focus, the legislation still aims to “spur greater adoption of broadband among covered populations,” according to the act’s text.
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NTIA’s next steps and funding outlook
NTIA Executive Director Angela Siefer said the agency has not yet decided whether it will submit a proposal once the application window opens. “It is too early to determine whether we will apply,” she told journalists, noting that the organization must first review the forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity, which will be issued under the current administration.
Siefer referenced a prior grant proposal that succeeded under the previous administration, describing it as “carefully crafted” and intended to serve roughly 30,000 people across rural, urban and tribal communities. “NTIA’s vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to use technology to live, learn, work, and thrive. This is not controversial,” she added.
She also urged the reinstatement of state grant programs that were not part of the NTIA lawsuit, arguing that plans developed by states during the prior administration are ready for implementation.
In practice, the removal of the minority‑focused category could mean fewer resources for certain urban neighborhoods that rely heavily on targeted outreach. Communities that previously qualified under that classification will now need to demonstrate eligibility through other criteria, such as income level or geographic isolation, to secure funding. This shift may affect how local organizations prioritize outreach and allocate limited staff time.
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The Digital Equity Act was passed alongside the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which distributes funds to states for broadband subsidies in unserved and underserved areas. Although the BEAD program remains intact, the current administration has delayed its rollout and restructured its funding mechanisms.
Under the previous administration, the broadband deployment budget was trimmed to roughly $21 billion, and states were instructed not to impose low‑price requirements or net‑neutrality compliance on providers. The administration also allocated additional resources to satellite provider Starlink, though the exact amount has not been disclosed.
Details on how the remaining $21 billion will be allocated are still pending, leaving policymakers and industry stakeholders uncertain about the full scope of upcoming investments.