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Digital Equity Act
Congress’ 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act (DEA), which is the largest investment in digital inclusion efforts. Along with the other broadband provisions in the law, the DEA is the most active systemic approach to closing the digital divide in US history. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) oversees all the grants under the Digital Equity Act.
Why the Digital Equity Act Matters
The DEA’s impact will complement and extend the impact of the Federal broadband deployment programs like the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program by funding critical initiatives and programs the necessary digital devices, and the skills to fully participate in the digital economy. The programs and projects DEA will fund will uniquely serve the various populations specific needs to get and stay connected so that educational and employment opportunities are enhanced, there is more robust access to healthcare, and improving broad access to healthcare, communities are resilient and able to withstand disasters, and residents are protected from online scams and fraud among many other benefits.
Congress appropriated $2.75 billion for DEA, establishing two programs split into three grants.
1. The State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which was split into two grants:
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- Planning grants (State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program) provided $60M in funding to help states, Territories, and the District of Columbia develop comprehensive digital equity plans, which are required for states to be eligible for the capacity grants.
- Capacity grants (The State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program) provide $1.44B in funding to States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal Entities to implement their digital equity plans. The grants are designed to support states in addressing the unique digital inclusion needs they identified in their state using strategies and initiatives tailored to their communities. Capacity grants are being disbursed on a rolling basis, and all are expected to be disbursed by the end of 2024.
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2. The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program:
The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program awards grants to eligible entities, including, but not limited to, local governments, nonprofits, and community anchor institutions. Congress appropriated $1.25 billion for this program, which aims to build long-term capacity for bridging the digital divide across communities nationwide. The grants went live in 2024 and are expected to be disbursed in winter of 2024-2025. We’ll update this page as the timeline adjusts, and suggest checking out NTIA’s website for the most up to date on the progress of the grants’ disbursement.
Advocacy Templates
Script for Advocating for Digital Equity Needs
(COMING SOON) This template is designed to guide you through a phone call or meeting with policymakers at any level of government—local, state, or federal. It provides a framework for clearly communicating the need for digital equity and advocating for specific actions.
Sign-On Letter
(COMING SOON) This template can be used to educate and influence decision-makers on digital equity in your community and demonstrate support of digital inclusion initiatives. Effectively engaging with policymakers can lead to meaningful change that ensures your community has access to the digital tools and skills needed to thrive.
