AVAILABLE BROADBAND FUNDING RESOURCES
The following is a list of available funding resources for expanding broadband access, adoption, and use across Michigan. This list will be updated regularly so please check back for more details or feel free to email us at info@connectednation.org.
Connecting Michigan Communities Grant (CMIC) 1.5 and 2.0
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) is providing a grant opportunity to extend broadband service into unserved areas in Michigan. The grant funds are available to projects that demonstrate collaboration to achieve community investment and economic development goals of the area impacted. CMIC 2.0 broadband definition updated from 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload (10/1) to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps (25/3) upload. Max. request is $5 million. Grant includes a comment/objection period to ensure funds are used in truly unserved areas.
Funding Available
CMIC 2.0 - $14.3M
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Entities licensed under the MI Telecommunications Act, video franchise act, or any entity currently providing broadband service
Expiration Date
CMIC 2.0 applications due Jan. 4, 2021, final awards Jun. 30, 2021
Website
Department of Education
The mission of this program is to disburse Impact Aid payments to local educational agencies that are financially burdened by federal activities. Impact Aid funds received by school districts under sections 7002 and 7003(b) may be used to support connectivity if a district chooses.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,486,112,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
K-12 Schools
State and Local Governments
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
This is one of a number of Department programs in which broadband may be incorporated into the program only under certain circumstances. Generally, Title I funds can support broadband if the broadband is: (1) Used only by Title I participants (e.g., all students in a Title I schoolwide school or students selected for services in a Title I targeted assistance school); (2) Designed to improve the academic achievement of low-achieving students served by Title I and the use aligns with the needs identified in a Title I school’s schoolwide plan or the design of its targeted assistance program; (3) Involves necessary and reasonable costs; and (4) Installed consistent with the definition of “minor remodeling” in 34 CFR Part 77.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$16,309,802,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies (Title I, Part A)
This program helps eligible institutions of higher education increase their self-sufficiency by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$36,633,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Amer Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The allowability of costs is always situation and program specific. This program provides grants and related assistance to Native American-serving, nontribal institutions to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$4,444,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The Promise Neighborhoods program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While funds under one of these programs can be used on broadband access, the programs’ purpose is not primarily focused on that issue.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$80,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Tribal Entities
Non-Profit Organizations
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
The purpose of the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) grant program is to provide poor, rural districts with financial assistance to address the unique needs of rural school districts that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for Federal competitive grants and receive formula grant allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes. Can use funds under one of these programs for costs related to device or mobile hotspot access.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$92,920,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
K-12 Schools
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Rural and Low Income School Program
This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. The program helps eligible IHEs to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low- income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$107,854,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Title III Part A
This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. This program provides financial assistance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish or strengthen their physical plants, financial management, academic resources, and endowment-building capacity.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$324,792,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Title III Part B
This is one of a number of Department programs that provides funds that could be used to support broadband access. This program provides financial assistance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish or strengthen their physical plants, financial management, academic resources, and endowment-building capacity.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$324,792,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Ed Title III Part B
Department of Labor
The Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (“TIRAP”) is a joint venture of telecommunications companies, industry associations and the U.S. Department of Labor that develops credentialed apprenticeship programs available to qualified employers for career development of the telecommunications workforce.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$5,997,096 awarded through a competitive process.
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Qualified telecommunications employers
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
TIRAP
Department of Transportation
Funding provided under National Infrastructure Investments have supported capital projects which repair bridges or improve infrastructure to a state of good repair; projects that implement safety improvements to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, including improving grade crossings or providing shorter or more direct access to critical health services; projects that connect communities and people to jobs, services, and education; and, projects that anchor economic revitalization and job growth in communities.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,000,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Transportation BUILD (TIGER)
Accommodating public utilities on highway right-of-way has traditionally been at no cost to the utility, or only involves direct cost reimbursement for replacement ROW. This reflects a public policy that supports limiting the burden on taxpayers for basic municipal services.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,000,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
There is no direct funding specifically for broadband. However, broadband may be eligible for reimbursement with federal-aid highway funds if it supports a transportation use.
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Transportation Realty Program Right of Way
It has been recognized that it is in the public interest for utility facilities to jointly use the right-of- way of public roads and streets when such use and occupancy does not adversely affect highway or traffic safety, or otherwise impair the highway or its aesthetic quality, and does not conflict with the provisions of Federal, State, or local laws and regulations.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,000,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
There is no direct funding specifically for broadband. However, broadband may be eligible for reimbursement with federal-aid highway funds if it supports a transportation use.
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Transportation FHWA
Department of Treasury
The New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program) awards financial intermediaries known as Community Development Entities (CDEs) with federal tax credit authority that the CDEs offer to private investors in exchange for equity in the CDE that is then invested in economically distressed communities.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
CY2020 $5,000,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Community Development Entities (CDEs)
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Treasury CDFI Funding
CRA requires federal banking regulators to encourage financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they do business, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
Financial institution debt and equity
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
Dept of Treasury CRA
EDA
EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
CY2020 $5,000,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
Higher Education Institutions
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Non-Profit Organizations
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assist Programs
FCC
The schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-Rate program, helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband. Eligible schools, school districts, and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.
Funding Available
Discount; $4,151,395 [funding cap for Funding Year 2019; cap for Funding Year 2020 not yet available
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 schools
Expiration Date
Renews yearly
Website
FCC E-Rate
The federal universal service high-cost program is designed to ensure that consumers in rural, insular, and high-cost areas have access to modern communications networks capable of providing voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, at rates that are reasonably comparable to those in urban areas.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount $4,500,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
ISPs
Expiration Date
Renews yearly
Website
FCC High Cost Program
The Lifeline program is both a state and federal program provides a discount on phone and broadband service for qualifying low-income households to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that those services bring, including being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services. Overall, Lifeline discounts may vary depending on state and federal eligibility, as well as type of service and provider.
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Low income customers who have income at or below guidelines (on website) or the household participates in one of the following assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Tribal Eligibility Programs (and living on federally-recognized Tribal lands), or, Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Program
Expiration Date
Ongoing
Website
Michigan Lifeline Program
The RHC Program provides funding to eligible public or non-profit health care providers for broadband and telecommunications services necessary for the provision of health care. RHC Program support is provided on a funding year basis.
Funding Available
Discount; ~$593,782,000 [funding cap for 2019; the 2020 funding cap is not yet available]
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Hospitals
Other
Expiration Date
Renews yearly
Website
FCC Rural Health Care Program
HUD
The CDBG Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states and local governments, to be used for economic and community development, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount $3,425,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Non-Profit Organizations
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
CDBG
Section 108 offers state and local governments the ability to transform a small portion of their CDBG funds into federally guaranteed loans large enough to pursue physical and economic revitalization projects.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$300,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Non-Profit Organizations
Rural Recipients
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
CDBG
The IHBG program funds a wide range of affordable housing activities in Indian Country that benefit primarily low- and moderate-income persons.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$746,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Tribal Entities
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
HUD IHBG
The Title VI Loan Guarantee program assists Indian Housing Block Grant recipients to finance affordable housing construction and related community development.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$2,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Tribal Entities
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
HUD Title VI
IMLS
Using a population based formula, more than $160 million is distributed among the State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) every year. SLAAs are official agencies charged by law with the extension and development of library services
Funding Available
$160M each year
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
State and Local Governments
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
IMLS Grants to State Programs
Native American Library Services Basic Grants support existing library operations and maintain core library services.
Funding Available
$5.3M for Native American Services including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Tribal Entities
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grants
Native American Enhancement grants are competitive grants available to carry out activities, described in 20 U.S.C. 9141, that advance the programs and services of eligible Native American libraries. Wi-Fi hotspots are an eligible expense for communities.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,200,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Tribal Entities
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants
NSF
The CC* program invests in coordinated campus-level networking and cyberinfrastructure improvements, innovation, and engineering for science applications and distributed research projects.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
Approximately $17,000,000 anticipated in grants.
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Non-Profit Organizations
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
NSF Campus Cyperinfrastructure
The PAWR program is a public-private partnership, integrating $50 million from NSF with $50 million in cash and in-kind contributions from a consortium of more than 30 wireless companies and associations.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
Approximately $9,000,000 anticipated in grants and cooperative agreements.
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Hospitals
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Rural Recipients
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
NSF Advanced Wireless Research
The goal of the NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program is to accelerate the creation of the scientific and engineering foundations that will enable smart and connected communities to bring about new levels of economic opportunity and growth, safety and security, health and wellness, and overall quality of life.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
Approximately $43,000,000 anticipated in grants
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Hospitals
Public Safety Entities
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Rural Recipients
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
NSF Smart and Connected Communities
This program focuses on effective wireless spectrum utilization and/or coexistence techniques, especially with passive uses, which have received less attention from researchers. Coexistence is when two or more applications use the same frequency band at the same time and/or at the same location, yet do not adversely affect one another.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$12,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
NSF SWIFT
USDA
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
Loan: $50,506,394, Grant: $10,900,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA REDLG Program
The Business and Industry program bolsters the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses. This program improves the economic health of rural communities by increasing access to business capital through loan guarantees that enable commercial lenders to provide affordable financing for businesses in eligible rural areas.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$1,356,000
An additional $20.5 million provided under the CARES Act
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Higher Education Institutions
State and Local Governments
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA B&I Guaranteed Loan Program
The Community Connect program helps fund broadband deployment in rural communities where it is not yet economically viable for private-sector providers to deliver service.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$35,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Community Connect Grant Program
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$47,000,000
An additional $25 million provided under the CARES Act
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Hospitals
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
UDA DLT Grant Program
The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (Broadband Program) furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$11,200,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program
ReConnect offers three types of funding options for broadband infrastructure to connect rural families, businesses, farms, ranches, schools, libraries, and public safety facilities to modern, high-speed internet.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$555,000,000
An additional $100 million in grant funding provided through the CARES Act
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Rural Recipients
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Reconnect Program
This program provides financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$690,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Commercial/Internet Service Providers
Non-Profit Organizations
Small Businesses
Rural Recipients
Electric Utilities/Co-ops
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Rural Dev Telecom Infrastructure Loan Program
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$2,800,000,000 (Loan), $32,000,000 (Grant)
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Libraries
K-12 Schools
Higher Education Institutions
Hospitals
Public Safety Entities
State and Local Governments
Tribal Entities
Non-Profit Organizations
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Rural Housing Srvc Community Facilities
This program provides loan guarantees to eligible private lenders to help build essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Funding Available
FY2020 Funding Amount
$500,000,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Financial Institutions
Expiration Date
N/A
Website
USDA Rural Housing Srvc Community Facilities
US-Ignite
US Ignite invites applications to its Connectivity for Unserved and Underserved Communities program to select, launch, and oversee five proof-of-concept efforts to deploy novel broadband technology solutions to both rural and urban unserved and underserved communities. These communities will be chosen to reflect a mix of density, demographics, regions of the United States, housing types, local and industry collaborations, and technical approaches.
Funding Available
Up to five awards up to $300,000
Eligible Recipients / Criteria
Domestic institutions of higher education and nonprofits
Expiration Date
Proposals due Jan. 8, 2021
Website
US Ignite Program
