California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP)

California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) is sponsored by California Department of Education. This state grant helps organizations expand digital skills and internet access.

CalDEP Grant Guidelines and Request for Applications (RFA) | Broadband for All CalDEP Grant Guidelines and Request for Applications (RFA) CalDEP Application Portal Technical Assistance Resources Partnership Coordination Resource State Digital Equity Plan Goals of the California Digital Equity Program Eligible Use of Funds and Program Requirements Allocation & Award Formula Application and Submission Information Application Questions & Technical Assistance The California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) is a subgrant program that will provide funding to statewide, regional and local entities to conduct activities to support implementation of the State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP).

Please read through the Grant Guidelines and RFA closely for details on eligible applicants and allowable activities under CalDEP.

Read or Print the California Digital Equity Program Grant Guidelines and Request for Applications [PDF] Download the zipfile below for key CalDEP application materials, including: CalDEP Grant Guidelines and Request for Applications (RFA) CalDEP Partnership Form : Required submission form for applicants to provide information on partners and supportive stakeholders CalDEP Budget Form : Required submission form for all applicants to provide required budget information CD-511 Certification Regarding Lobbying : Required standard federal certification form Standard Form LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities – If Applicable : Disclosure form of lobbying activities, complete if applicable Application Guidance – For Reference Only : Outlines all the questions and prompts that will be asked of applicants via the CalDEP Application Portal.

This document should be used for planning and reference only. Refer to the Technical Assistance Resources page for additional helpful resources and materials for your application. Download Application Materials [ZipFile] Please note that CDT will only accept applications submitted through the CalDEP Application Portal.

All other submission formats will not be reviewed. CDT has developed an HTML version of the Grant Guidelines and RFA to be available in over 100 languages and compatible with assistive technology. Access the HTML version of various sections of the Grant Guidelines and RFA below.

Select your preferred language on the top right corner of the page. You may also print the contents of the page in the selected language for reference. Request for Application (RFA) Summary Program Overview This Request for Application (“RFA”) solicits applications for the California Digital Equity Program (“CalDEP”).

CalDEP will make funds available to Eligible Entities for allowable activities including regional and local digital equity planning, digital navigation services, digital literacy training, targeted device programs, community center computer labs, workforce training programs, and targeted statewide ecosystem development and innovation for specific Covered Populations or Outcome Areas.

Funding Instrument Funding from the California Department of Technology (CDT)’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant comes from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and will be awarded to selected applicants in the form of subgrants. Note: Funding for CalDEP awards is contingent upon the availability of these federal funds and CDT’s ongoing access to them.

Award Project Period The period of performance for all awards made under CalDEP must end by August 31, 2029. Subgrantees may propose flexible timelines within the maximum period of performance. All Subgrantees will be responsible for final reporting at the close of their award.

Funding Tracks Track 1: Subgrants to: (1) develop and refine regional and local digital equity plans, and (2) provide capacity to implement digital equity activities directly or through second-tier subgrants to local Eligible Entities.

Track 2: Subgrants to support ecosystem development, planning, and innovation for a specific State Outcome Area or Covered Population which may be served more effectively in statewide, rather than regional or local, ecosystems. Funding Details Track 1: $43 million total funding pool to be awarded based on county allocations. Track 2: $7 million total funding pool to be awarded within an expected range of $400,000 and $1 million.

Key Dates Applications from Eligible Entities must be received by May 30, 2025. How to Apply Application materials are available at: https://broadbandforall. cdt.

ca. gov/caldep Contacts All questions related to CalDEP should be directed to CDT’s centralized mailbox: CalDEP@state. ca.

gov CalDEP Grant Guidelines and RFA Sections Broadband for All is California’s comprehensive, multi-billion-dollar program to close the digital divide. It reflects the work of the California Broadband Council and its members, Executive Order N-73-20 , the Broadband for All Action Plan (2020), and the historic Broadband for All Act ( SB 156, 2021 ).

California’s State Digital Equity Plan ( SDEP ) represents the latest chapter in the evolution of the State’s Broadband for All program.

This plan describes how the State will pair its existing Broadband for All investments and efforts with new federal funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to advance digital equity in California, which means all Californians have access to the technology and digital skills they need to participate fully in modern society.

The plan’s vision embodies and expands on the State’s three long-term goals defined in the Broadband for All Action Plan and State Digital Equity Plan: Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses. Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices. Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

California’s SDEP, approved by NTIA in April 2024, unlocked $70. 2 million in federal State Capacity Grant dollars to support its implementation. CDT is the State’s Administering Entity to manage the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Programs.

As outlined in the SDEP, CDT will structure the Capacity Grant program implementation around three components: Centralized Services : services developed, procured, or curated by CDT are tools and resources to support CalDEP Subgrantees and ecosystem partners to conduct and report on activities and progress in alignment with the SDEP.

CDT will provide a set of Centralized Services which may include promotion and outreach materials, a digital literacy training platform, a broadband-specific workforce development hub, the Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping (DEEM) tool, and a Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey.

State Agency Digital Inclusion Efforts : programs that impact digital equity outcomes for Covered Populations statewide California Digital Equity Program : subgrants to Eligible Entities for allowable activities including regional and local digital equity planning, digital navigation services, digital literacy training, targeted device programs, community center computer labs, workforce training programs, and targeted statewide ecosystem development and innovation for specific Covered Populations or Outcome Areas.

CDT will inform CalDEP Subgrantees of Centralized Services and State Agency Digital Inclusion Efforts as agreements are finalized to create opportunities for collaboration and alignment, including revisions to the DEEM tool and Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey.

CDT issues these California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) Grant Guidelines and RFA to describe the requirements under which it will award subgrants through CalDEP to support SDEP implementation and further the goals of Broadband for All .

Informed by stakeholder input, public comment, and in alignment with NTIA requirements, the final Grant Guidelines and RFA specify CDT’s investments in statewide, regional and local planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building that address digital equity through defined activities to benefit California’s Covered Populations, consistent with the SDEP. 2.

Goals of the California Digital Equity Program The NTIA requires CDT to consider four focal points in examining proposed State Digital Equity Capacity Grant strategies: 1 Focus on Covered Populations : Activities should align with the State’s Digital Equity Plan’s goals and objectives, and the priorities of the Covered Populations being served, including subgroups within each Covered Population.

Priority should be given to activities with the greatest potential impact, such as targeting Covered Households (i.e., low-income individuals) within other Covered Populations. Long-lasting and Meaningful Change: Digital Equity Plans are intended to address the systemic barriers and gaps to digital access. Activities should reflect this goal and consider the sustainability of initiatives created through this funding.

Measurable Implementation Strategies: Proposed programs and activities should be based on objectives that are measurable, achievable, sustainable, timebound, and are designed to address identified disparities directly and logically.

Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholders who are directly affected by the proposed strategies and interventions should be involved to encourage ongoing feedback regarding the effectiveness of the interventions and to seek input on potential solutions and improvements.

As defined in the SDEP, CalDEP will address these focal points by funding further statewide, regional and local planning and alignment, and the delivery of digital inclusion services from trusted messengers in existing statewide and community-based organizations and institutions who can provide support in the communities and languages in which it is needed most.

The SDEP identifies barriers to digital equity for eight Covered Populations outlined in the Digital Equity Act and includes the State’s strategies to achieve specific objectives for each of the State’s Broadband for All goals. 2 Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

This goal and its corresponding objectives will be addressed through the continued build-out of existing Broadband for All investments and Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD)-funded projects.

CalDEP is structured around funding further planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building for statewide and regional/local coalitions to implement strategies to overcome digital equity barriers experienced by Covered Populations and supports SDEP Goals 2 and 3, and their Objectives: Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband and necessary devices . Objective 2.

1: Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service. Objective 2. 2: Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet due to devices being inaccessible and unaffordable and increase the percentage with a home computing device.

Objective 2. 3: Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies, including the Affordable Connectivity Program or successor program. Objective 2.

4: Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service. Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion. Objective 3.

1: Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs. Objective 3. 2: Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.

Objective 3. 3: Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concerns for privacy and cybersecurity prevents broadband adoption or effective use. Objective 3.

4: Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate, and advanced digital literacy skills. 3 Objective 3. 5: Expand the number of members of covered populations trained/hired in broadband infrastructure and technology jobs.

Objective 3. 6: Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.

Through the accomplishment of the SDEP Goals and Objectives, CalDEP is also designed to help advance California’s State Policy Outcomes: Digital literacy & inclusion​ Workforce & economic development Essential services, accessibility & civic engagement​ Tribal collaborations & partnerships CalDEP will accomplish these overarching goals, objectives, and outcomes by supporting the implementation of statewide, regional and local planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building to support digital inclusion activities through the development of local and targeted statewide digital equity and inclusion ecosystems in two funding tracks.

Regional/Local Digital Equity Ecosystems and Implementation Subgrants to (1) develop and refine regional and local digital equity plans and (2) provide capacity to implement digital equity activities directly or through second-tier subgrants to local Eligible Entities with a focus on: Local alignment with the SDEP Strategies, Measurable Objectives, and Key Activities, including: Broadband adoption efforts Digital literacy training Targeted device distribution Workforce development programs Local digital equity asset identification and implementation strategy Targeted Statewide Digital Equity Ecosystems Subgrants to support ecosystem development, planning, and innovation for State Outcome Areas and Covered Populations which may be served more effectively in statewide, rather than regional or local, ecosystems.

CDT will utilize the remainder of the State Capacity Grant funds on Centralized Services, State Agency Digital Inclusion Efforts, and costs associated with administering the grant, evaluation, and maintaining and updating the State Digital Equity Plan.

The following definitions are derived from the Digital Equity Act, NTIA requirements, and California’s SDEP: Allowable Use : Grant funds can be used to cover costs for activities permitted by the NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) and CalDEP guidelines.

Community Anchor Institution : 4 A public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State or Territory library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.

Individuals who live in covered households (households with income from the most recently completed year of not more than 150% of the poverty level); 6 Aging individuals (an individual who is 60 years of age or older); Incarcerated individuals (as defined by the State of California), other than individuals who are incarcerated in a federal correctional facility; Veterans (a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable); Individuals with disabilities (with respect to an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment); Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who— a.

are English learners; and b.

have low levels of literacy; Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area (any area other than – a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and in the case of a grant or direct loan, a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.)

Digital Equity : 7 In California, digital equity means all Californians have access to the technology and digital skills they need to participate fully in modern society.

Digital Equity Assets (“Assets”) : Organizations (including, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, internet service providers, philanthropic entities such as foundations, and government agencies), programs, services, funding, and other resources that are, or can be, leveraged to promote digital equity and support the implementation of the State Digital Equity Plan.

8 Assets may also include physical structures that can support digital equity, such as the physical locations of Community Anchor Institutions. 9 Digital Equity Ecosystem (“Ecosystem”) : 10 Combination of programs and policies that meet a geographic community’s unique and diverse needs.

Coordinating entities (i.e., digital equity or digital inclusion practitioners) work together in an ecosystem to address all aspects of the digital divide, including affordable broadband, devices, and skills.

Digital Inclusion : 11 The activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as— Reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and Obtaining access to digital literacy training; The provision of quality technical support; and Obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.

Digital Literacy : 12 The skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.

Digital Navigators : Trusted community organizations or community members who conduct activities including, but not limited to, the following: Assess users’ individual needs and goals Advise on availability and access to low-cost offers for devices and internet service Connect residents to or provide digital literacy training Connect residents to digital education, workforce development programs, and online public benefit programs or resources Hardware and software technical support efforts Individual, one-on-one support Communal, group-based support Eligible Entity : An entity eligible to apply for and receive CalDEP funding permitted by the NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) and the CalDEP guidelines.

Eligible Entities refer to both Lead Applicants and Second-tier Subgrantees. See 4. Eligible Applicants for types of organizations that are considered eligible.

Lead Applicant : The designated entity applying for a subgrant. Subgrantee : An Eligible Entity, as defined in 4. Eligible Applicants, that receives a subgrant for the purpose of carrying out part of CDT’s federal State Digital Equity Capacity Grant award.

Subgrantees assume fiscal and reporting responsibilities for themselves and Second-tier Subgrantees for activities conducted under CalDEP. Subgrantees may also be known as subrecipients in federal requirements. Second-tier Subgrant: A formal agreement that includes the provision of funding between the Lead Applicant and a participating partner organization, which is also an Eligible Entity as defined in 4.

Eligible Applicants, to further the goals of their CalDEP subgrant, if awarded. Please refer to 4. Eligible Applicants for more details.

Both Lead Applicants and second-tier subgrantees for CalDEP must be located and operate in the State of California and have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI) number assigned by SAM. gov and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service.

Lead Applicants and second-tier subgrantees must come from the following Eligible Entity categories: 13 A local political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the State of California. An Indian Tribe 14 or a Native Hawaiian organization. 15 A foundation, corporation, institution, or association that is: a not-for-profit entity; and A community anchor institution.

A local educational agency. An entity that carries out a workforce development program. A partnership between any of the entities listed above.

A Regional Broadband Consortia (as long as they or their fiscal agents belong to an Eligible Entity category as listed above and have an active UEI. All projects funded by CalDEP must be used for digital equity purposes only, as detailed in 5. Eligible Use of Funds and Program Requirements.)

Encouraged Applicants by Funding Track CDT encourages applications from the following types of Eligible Entities for Funding Tracks 1 and 2. Note that these are not the minimum requirements, and applicants do not need every listed category of experience to be eligible.

Regional/Local Ecosystems CDT encourages Track 1 applications from applicants with the following experience: Local/regional coalition-building Digital equity or digital inclusion planning or programming Managing federal or state grants Awarding grants or subgrants CDT will only award one application per county funding allocation and encourages Lead Applicants to identify partnerships of interested entities within each county prior to the application.

However, a Lead Applicant may also partner with entities across multiple counties to submit one regional application for multiple county funding allocations.

Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems CDT encourages Track 2 applications from applicants with the following experience: Statewide coalition-building Digital equity or digital inclusion planning or programming Managing federal or state grants Applicants with a statewide network of partners CDT encourages applications from partnerships.

When applying as a partnership, one Eligible Entity must be designated as the Lead Applicant for the partnership. Lead Applicant : The designated entity applying for a subgrant. Partner : Entities participating in, collaborating on, or contributing to the proposed activities.

Partners may or may not receive funding. Those who will receive funding are considered second-tier subgrantees and must be Eligible Entities. Refer to 7.

2 Funding Restrictions for additional second-tier subgrantee requirements. Partners on an application must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) executed by both the Partner and the Lead Applicant. In the LOI, Partners should: Express their intent to participate in the partnership; Describe the activities the Partners intend to pursue or participate in; Include the point of contact for the organization.

Supportive stakeholders : Entities that express general support or endorsement for the application. Supportive stakeholders on the application must submit a signed Letter of Support. 5.

Eligible Use of Funds and Program Requirements Awards made under CalDEP must advance California SDEP goals, objectives, and Outcome Areas by supporting the implementation of digital inclusion activities through the development of regional, local, and targeted statewide digital equity and inclusion ecosystems. The period of performance for all awards made under CalDEP must end by August 31, 2029.

Subgrantees must expend funds and complete all subgrant-funded activities by this date. Subgrantees may propose flexible timelines within the maximum period of performance. All Subgrantees will be responsible for final reporting at the end of their period of performance.

5. 1 Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ All Track 1 Subgrantees must use their awarded funding for digital equity planning and implementation of activities within their specified county or multi-county region. Development or refinement of regional/local digital equity plans that align with the SDEP.

CDT plans to share a local digital equity plan template and local digital equity data collection tools such as the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and the Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping (DEEM) asset inventory tool with Subgrantees to support the development of their local plans.

At a minimum, regional/local digital equity plans should include: Regional/local vision, goals, outcomes, and objectives for digital equity in alignment with the SDEP’s vision, goals, outcomes, and objectives Identification of barriers to digital equity faced by Covered Populations in the region/county using those in the SDEP as the baseline.

Assets to be leveraged for digital equity program implementation (including existing funding, programs, and partners, such as local internet service providers, community-based organizations, and philanthropic partners) A regional/local implementation strategy with holistic activities, address local barriers to participation in the digital world, and align with SDEP measurable objectives and activities An explanation of how the implementation strategy will supplement and/or leverage existing federal, state, local, and private funding and initiatives for long-term sustainability Plans to collaborate with or make second-tier subgrants to key stakeholders in the county/region, especially those that represent the interests of or provide services to Covered Populations A timeline for implementation of the plan Regional/local digital equity plans must be completed and approved by CDT before CalDEP awards may be used for the implementation of activities.

If the county or region has previously completed a local digital equity plan, it must demonstrate to CDT that the pre-existing plan meets all minimum requirements before CalDEP awards may be used for the implementation of activities. If the pre-existing plan is accepted as meeting all minimum requirements, Subgrantees may proceed with implementation activities.

Implementation of local digital equity activities that align with the SDEP measurable objectives and regional/local digital equity plan, such as, but not limited to: Broadband adoption educational and awareness campaigns to educate residents on the value of home internet service, the distinction between mobile connectivity and home connectivity, the rationale for more robust connectivity, the value of using web-based applications on a computer, and the availability of low-cost broadband offers and subsidies Broadband adoption efforts to assist in enrolling Covered Population residents in low-cost broadband offers and subsidies to overcome cost barriers Digital navigation services Referring or conducting digital literacy training Targeted device programs to ensure devices are relevant and useful, and hardware and software sensitive to specific needs for specific Covered Populations Establishment of computer labs/digital literacy training programs at community centers (Senior Centers, Veterans Halls) Workforce training programs and apprenticeships (broadband infrastructure, tech, and digital skills, and knowledge-based jobs) Making second-tier subgrants to Eligible Entities (as listed in 4.

Eligible Applicants) in the county/region to implement any of the above activities. Second-tier subgrants are optional under CalDEP. Coalition-building activities in support of digital equity planning may be eligible uses of funds.

However, CalDEP funding should be prioritized for implementing activities that align with SDEP’s Measurable Objectives. Regional/local digital equity plans must be completed and submitted to CDT for approval within 6 months of award. If entities cannot complete the plan within this timeframe, CDT may consider requests for extensions up to 6 months, not exceeding 12 months post-award.

CDT expects to review and approve regional/local digital equity plans within 3 months of receipt. Each regional/local digital equity plan must address the entirety of the county or multi-county area it represents, including municipalities, unincorporated areas, and rural areas. If a Lead Applicant is awarded for a multi-county area, a regional/local digital equity plan must be submitted for each county .

County-level digital equity plans may include individual plans for cities within the county. All Subgrantees are required to contribute to CDT’s ongoing collection of responses for the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and DEEM tool to continue to build out statewide and regional/local needs assessments and asset inventories.

Please note that CDT will provide opportunities for input from Subgrantees and subject matter experts to develop the next iteration of the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and DEEM tool . All Subgrantees are encouraged to leverage CDT’s provided Centralized Services to support the efficiency and effectiveness of their implementation activities.

However, if local needs exceed what Centralized Services provide, Subgrantees may allocate CalDEP funding to procure or develop services to meet those needs, with approval from CDT. Centralized Services will primarily be offered in English and Spanish. Subgrantees may opt to use funding for services in other languages as needed by their local or regional communities.

More information about Centralized Services will be provided as they become available on the Broadband for All Portal. 5. 2 Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems​ Track 2 is designed to fund subgrantees focusing on targeted ecosystem development or digital equity innovation for a Covered Population or Outcome Area.

Individuals who live in covered households (at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) Individuals with disabilities Individuals with a language barrier Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area Digital literacy and inclusion All Track 2 Subgrantees must use their awarded funding within their specified Covered Population or Outcome Area for the following purposes.

Ecosystem-building and ongoing planning to identify additional statewide/regional/local partners and develop a plan for mobilizing and obtaining resources to support the specific needs of the Covered Population or interventions and innovation for the specified Outcome Area.

Track 2 Subgrantees must include a plan to support, coordinate, or share best practices with Track 1 Subgrantees, and participate in and contribute to the Statewide Implementation Group and other communities of practice established by CDT. Statewide capacity-building for the ecosystem of partners to serve the specified Covered Population or Outcome Area.

Capacity-building may include train-the-trainer and skill-building activities and other resources for partner organizations to serve their constituents better in the long term.

Statewide innovative projects or solutions that can leverage other sources of funding to address an aspect of the digital divide without a current solution or supplement an existing solution in an innovative manner and use a unique, novel, and/or creative approach aligned with an Outcome Area and/or tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by the Covered Population.

Making second-tier subgrants to Eligible Entities (as listed in 4. Eligible Applicants) in the State to implement any of the above activities. Second-tier subgrants are permissible under CalDEP.

Track 2 Subgrantees must engage stakeholders across the state. All Subgrantees are required to assist CDT with the ongoing collection of responses for the DEEM tool and Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey . Please note that CDT will provide opportunities for input from Subgrantees and subject matter experts to develop the next iteration of the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and DEEM tool.

All Subgrantees are encouraged to leverage CDT’s provided Centralized Services to support the efficiency and effectiveness of their implementation activities. However, if targeted Covered Population or Outcome Area needs exceed what Centralized Services provide, Subgrantees may allocate CalDEP funding to procure or develop services to meet those needs, with approval from CDT.

Centralized Services will primarily be offered in English and Spanish. Subgrantees may opt to use funding for services in other languages as needed by their target communities. More information about Centralized Services will be provided as they become available on the Broadband for All Portal.

All applications awarded under either Funding Track must benefit Covered Populations within the applicant’s county/region, specified Covered Population, or Outcome Area. Applications should additionally prioritize Covered Households. Applicants should consider intersectionality among Covered Populations and serve communities that may belong to multiple Covered Populations.

Subgrants awarded under Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ must develop plans to drive towards measurable objectives to benefit members of all Covered Populations within the county/region or multi-county joint application regions (if multiple areas partner on one application to pool resources and leverage economies of scale).

Subgrantees may choose to identify specific Covered Populations to prioritize in their implementation activities based on their planning process and needs assessment results. Subgrants awarded under Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems ​ must focus on digital equity innovation and targeted ecosystem development that benefits a Covered Population or Outcome Area statewide. 7.

Allocation & Award Formula 7. 1 Anticipated Award Amounts Track Total Allocated Amount Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems $43 million Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems $7 million Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems​ The NTIA used the following formula in determining the State’s Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation.

Total number of members of Covered Populations (25%) Comparative Lack of Broadband Availability and Adoption (25%) Minimum allocation of one-half (0. 5) percent Based on stakeholder feedback, CDT is applying the following modified allocation criteria. Track 1 award funding allocations per county were calculated using a formula-based approach to ensure geographic diversity and equity.

The formula considered: Covered Populations (75%) : To ensure service to Covered Populations is prioritized, 75 percent of a county’s allocation is based on the number of individuals in the county who are members of Covered Populations, in proportion to the total number of individuals in the State of California who are members of Covered Populations, as determined by data from the US Census Bureau and NTIA’s Digital Equity Act Population Viewer 16 , which was used in NTIA’s formula that determined the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation.

Relative Lack of Broadband Availability and Adoption (25%) : To ensure consideration for each county’s relative lack of broadband availability and adoption, 12. 5 percent of a county’s allocation is based on the county’s relative lack of broadband availability and 12. 5 percent is based on the county’s relative lack of broadband adoption relative to all