Broadband Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program 2025

The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Digital Opportunity Capacity Grant, funded under the federal State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, a $1.44 billion initiative authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Indiana received an allocation of $15,096,770 under this program to implement the state’s Digital Equity Plan, developed in collaboration with the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. This grant aims to support initiatives that reduce systemic barriers to digital inclusion, particularly among historically underserved populations such as low-income households, aging individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and rural residents. The grant supports a wide range of digital equity efforts, including improving telehealth access, digital literacy for incarcerated individuals, making public websites more accessible, and launching programs that address broadband access, affordability, device distribution, and cybersecurity. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions and agencies of the state (such as local government units and agencies responsible for adult education or public housing), not-for-profit entities (excluding schools), local education agencies, community anchor institutions (excluding schools), entities engaged in workforce development programs, and partnerships among these types of organizations. The application must be submitted through the eCivis Grants Portal, where applicants will complete three main sections: Organization Profile, Application, and Budget. The Organization Profile requires submission of Indiana Secretary of State and Bidder numbers, descriptions of the organization's past experience, and if applicable, information on all participating partners. The Project Plan section should include detailed descriptions of goals, timelines, and digital equity barriers to be addressed, such as broadband access or digital literacy. A robust Data and Evaluation strategy is required, as is a clear financial narrative and sustainability plan. Applications will be scored based on a 155-point rubric assessing areas such as data and evaluation (40 points), organization profile (15 points), project plan and community support (50 points), target populations and locations (25 points), and project administration (25 points). Projects involving human subject research or broadband infrastructure will receive point deductions. All applications must adhere to rigorous reporting, risk management, and community support documentation requirements. The application period opened on April 30, 2025, and will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 13, 2025. Awards will be announced between June and July 2025, with successful projects submitted to the NTIA by August 31, 2025. Technical assistance will be provided via two public webinars, scheduled for May 5 and June 5, 2025, both held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Questions about the program can be directed to indianabroadband@iot.in.gov.