Native Entities Grant Program

The Native Entities Grant Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program is authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is part of the broader Digital Equity Act of 2021. It is designed specifically to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations in advancing broadband adoption and digital equity initiatives. NTIA plays a central role in overseeing national broadband expansion efforts and aims to ensure that underserved and historically excluded communities benefit from federal investments in connectivity. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that increase broadband adoption, digital skills, and access to technology within Native communities. Rather than focusing solely on infrastructure deployment, this program emphasizes the use and adoption of broadband to improve outcomes in education, workforce development, healthcare, and civic engagement. Projects may include digital literacy training, workforce development programs, provision of devices or subsidized internet services, and the development of community access computing centers. The program also prioritizes alignment with other federal broadband initiatives such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program to maximize impact and avoid duplication. Funding is provided through competitive grants with an expected award range between five hundred thousand and two million five hundred thousand dollars per recipient. A total of at least two hundred fifty million dollars has been reserved for Native Entities under this program. Grant funds must be used for allowable activities that directly support broadband adoption and digital equity, and recipients must adhere to strict cost principles, including caps on administrative and evaluation expenses. Funds cannot be used for general research, profit generation, or duplicative efforts already funded by other federal programs. Eligibility is limited to Native Entities, including federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and consortia composed of these entities. Applicants must demonstrate their eligibility status and provide formal authorization from their governing body. Each eligible entity may submit only one application, either independently or as part of a consortium. The program requires applicants to include a minimum ten percent cost match, although waivers may be requested based on demonstrated financial need. Applications must be submitted through approved channels such as Grants.gov, email, or postal mail, with strong encouragement to use the online portal. Required application components include a detailed project narrative, budget documentation, evidence of need, implementation plans, and certifications regarding compliance and funding integrity. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process including eligibility screening, merit review, and programmatic review. Evaluation criteria focus on project need, expected outcomes, implementation feasibility, and organizational capacity. The application deadline is November seventeen, two thousand twenty six, and submissions must be received by eleven fifty nine PM Eastern Time. NTIA expects to begin issuing awards in spring two thousand twenty seven, with rolling announcements thereafter. The period of performance for funded projects is four years, with an additional year allowed for evaluation activities. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with broader federal broadband initiatives and demonstrate measurable, sustainable impacts within their communities.

Align proposal with existing federal broadband programs and demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainability