Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

Through the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, NTIA directly addresses the lack of Internet access, connectivity, adoption, and equity at our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and in census tracts with high levels of poverty within their surrounding  anchor communities. The CMC Pilot program seeks to expand educational instruction and remote learning opportunities, spur economic development, create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, by building the digital capacity of the eligible institutions and furthering broadband access, adoption, and digital skills within those institutions and in their surrounding anchor communities.  Accordingly, Congress has directed NTIA to provide $268 million in grant funding to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; and to consortia including MBEs or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations to operate that MBE or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. 

As noted in the CMC NOFO, these universities may experience disparities in their capabilities and resources for Internet access and adoption. This may limit the extent to which the benefits of driving innovation and economic growth in the communities where these universities are located. The CMC Pilot Program bridges these gaps. Since this is a pilot program, NTIA welcomed innovative approaches to technology training, workforce development, and community engagement around broadband, broadband access, and connectivity. To further replicate and scale these programs, applicants will be expected to evaluate, track and document their program outcomes and best practices. 

Award Synopsis 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded more than $287 million to 14 recipients as part of the Broadband Infrastructure Program 

Click here to learn more about Broadband Infrastructure Program Funding Recipients.

NTIA issued this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“the Act”). The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants for the expansion of broadband internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. The Act authorizes new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities: for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise (MBE); or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Act also authorizes grants to a consortium, led by an eligible recipient institution (i.e., educational institution), that includes an MBE or a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. 

You can find full details about this program in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).