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 of 2021 and is part of broader federal efforts to expand broadband access, adoption, and digital equity across the United States. This funding opportunity is specifically designed to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations by providing resources to improve broadband connectivity and digital inclusion within their communities. The initiative aligns with national priorities to ensure equitable access to reliable internet services and to promote economic, educational, and social development through technology. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that increase broadband adoption and usage rather than large-scale infrastructure deployment. Eligible activities include developing and implementing broadband adoption programs, facilitating education and workforce opportunities through digital tools, providing digital skills training, distributing devices or subsidizing broadband services, and supporting public access computing centers. Projects must demonstrate measurable improvements in broadband access and usage, with a focus on addressing barriers such as affordability, lack of digital skills, and limited device availability. The program emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and coordination with other federal initiatives, particularly the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. Funding for the program is drawn from a reserved portion of federal digital equity appropriations, with at least 250,000,000 dollars allocated for Native Entities. Individual awards are expected to range between 500,000 and 2,500,000 dollars, though applicants may request amounts outside this range with sufficient justification. Recipients are required to complete funded activities within a four-year period of performance, followed by an additional year for evaluation and reporting. Administrative and evaluation costs are each capped at 10 percent of the total award, ensuring that the majority of funds are directed toward programmatic activities. Eligibility is limited to Native Entities, including Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, Native Hawaiian organizations, and partnerships among these groups. Applicants must submit a single application that encompasses all proposed projects and must include formal authorization from their governing body. The program requires a minimum cost share of 10 percent, although applicants may request a partial or full waiver based on financial need. Matching contributions may be provided in cash or in-kind and must comply with federal cost principles. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, email, or postal mail, with electronic submission strongly encouraged. Required components include a detailed project narrative, budget documentation, organizational information, certifications, and standard federal forms. The project narrative must address need, proposed activities, implementation strategy, evaluation methods, and alignment with existing broadband initiatives. Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage process including eligibility screening, merit review, and programmatic review, with scoring based on project need, implementation quality, organizational capacity, and expected outcomes. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is September 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. NTIA anticipates announcing awards beginning in Spring 2027 on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with state broadband offices and align their proposals with existing infrastructure investments to strengthen competitiveness. Programmatic inquiries can be directed to the NTIA Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth via broadbandgrants@ntia.gov or by phone at 202-482-2048.

Align projects with BEAD infrastructure investments; demonstrate measurable outcomes and strong need; ensure no duplication of funding; provide clear implementation timelines and evaluation metrics