Digital Literacy and Access (California)

Digital Literacy and Access (California) is sponsored by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This opportunity provides funds to help California public libraries improve access to high-speed broadband and improve digital literacy in their communities. This can include digital navigation services, digital literacy training, and AI and/or internet safety classes.

Digital Divide Grant Program Digital Divide Grant Program Digital Divide Grant Program Public Utilities Code Section 280. 5, enacted in 2003 by AB 855 (Firebaugh, Chapter 820, Statutes of 2003), established the Digital Divide Grant Program. It requires the Commission to award grants to fund digital divide programs.

The Digital Divide Grant Program is funded by a percentage of fees collected from the lease of certain state-owned property to wireless telecommunications service providers for wireless telecommunications facilities, pursuant to Govt. Code Section 14666. 8.

On September 18, 2020, the Commission initiated Rulemaking 20-09-001 (the “Broadband for All” proceeding) to set the strategic direction and implement changes necessary to expeditiously deploy reliable, fast, and affordable broadband. Phase One of the proceeding concluded on October 25, 2021, resulting in Decision 21-10-020.

The decision delegated to the Communications Division staff the authority to approve grants from the Digital Divide Account that meet the criteria set forth in Ordering Paragraph 7 and Pub. Util. Code § 280.

5. Resolution T-17770 . Administration of the Digital Divide Grant Program, Application Process, Selection.

The DDGP application period for round 3 was from December 12, 2025, to February 12, 2026, and is now officially closed! Submitted applications will be reviewed by DDGP staff and awardees will be announced via Commission Resolution. Please see the DDGP 2025-26 Application Flyer for more information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us at DigitalDivideGrantProgram@cpuc. ca. gov .

Digital Divide Grant Program Round 3 DDGP Pilot Program- August 10, 2023 The Digital Divide Grant Program provided four grants of up to $250,000 each to help fund projects aimed at combating the digital divide. Eligible projects served a beneficiary school located in an urban or rural low-income small school district. The beneficiary school must have a free lunch participation rate of at least 50 percent.

Projects may address physical gaps in local broadband networks, affordability, access to personal devices, and digital skills training.

Projects must provide a holistic solution, including but not limited to student home broadband connection, student required hardware (e.g., laptop, notebook and/or hotspots), student curriculum focused on the use of technology, software to enable distance learning for student and teacher, and training for teachers in the use of technology for distance learning.

Grant recipients must be a non-profit community-based organization (CBO) with a demonstrated record of work to addressing the digital divide. The CBO will collaborate with a partner public school or district to deploy the project, with the public school or district being the beneficiary of the project.

August 10, 2023: CPUC Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants To Help Close Digital Divide at Schools in Low-Income Urban and Rural Areas (CPUC Press Release) Outside the Lens. $250,000 Monarch School, San Diego. San Pasqual Academy, San Diego.

Wonderland College Prep Academy Delano, Delano. Wonderland College Prep Academy Lost Hills, Lost Hills. Small School District Association.

$249,650. Owens Valley Elementary, Independence. Owens Valley High, Independence.

Surprise Valley High School, Cedarville. Surprise Valley Elementary, Cedarville. DDGP Permanent Program- December 5, 2024 The Digital Divide Grant Program, on December 5, 2024, became a permanent program for eligible Community Technology Programs.

Resolution T-17842 moves the moves the program from a pilot program to a permanent program and announced a new application cycle. For a list of potentially eligible schools please see the DDGP Eligible Schools List . The total grant amount available is $200,000 yearly, on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted or otherwise discontinued.

This Resolution authorizes up to: $100,000 to projects for low-income rural and urban schools, and up to two $50,000 awards to projects for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The source of the funding is the Digital Divide Account. The grants are aimed at reducing the digital divide in schools and communities located in low-income urban and rural areas by providing necessary resources and access to digital technology.

The projects aim to deliver holistic solutions through digital literacy training, take-home devices, and broadband connections. Detailed application instructions are attached to resolution T-17842 at Appendix A and are also available for download at the DDGP webpage at http://www. cpuc.

ca. gov/ddgp. A CBO will submit its completed application, including all required documents, by email to: DigitalDivideGrantProgram@cpuc.

ca. gov . 2025 DDGP Application Deadline Extension Application Deadline Extension - The CPUC began accepting applications on December 12, 2024, with an established deadline for final submission of DDGP applications by February 12, 2025.

Due to the number of applications received and the remaining available funds, CPUC finds it reasonable to extend the 2025 DDGP application deadline to May 30, 2025. These changes only apply to 2025 DDGP applications; the timeline for future grants will follow the resolutions that approve those grants.

Revised Application Timeline: Resolution setting forth the DDGP adopted Application period begins Staff review and scoring of grant applications completed Awardees announced via Notice of Draft Resolution Notice of Award provided upon adoption of Final Resolution September 18,2025: CPUC Awards Digital Divide Grants to Support Schools and Community-Based Organization. (CPUC Press Release) Cyber Seniors. $49,931.

51 Serves 300 seniors in Los Angeles, Ca. We’re deeply grateful for this grant, which allows Cyber-Seniors to partner with BridgeLA to bring the Connected Communities program to life across the city of Los Angeles.

Together, we’ll provide seniors (many living on fixed incomes or with disabilities) the opportunity to gain confidence with technology, connect with loved ones, and access essential online resources that improve their daily lives. Parents In Quality Education. $26,000 Serving 300 students in Fresno and the Central Valley, Ca.

With CPUC’s support, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) will help hundreds of Central Valley families gain the digital tools and skills they need to thrive. This investment brings us closer to a future where every family, regardless of ZIP code or income, can access learning, opportunity, and connection through technology. Center for Emerging Technology.

$24,000 Serving 307 students at Ceasar Chavez Middle School in Planada, Ca. CETF, through the CPUC Digital Divide Grant and its School2Home program, will provide digital devices, online literacy resources, and capacity-building support to newcomer sixth-grade students who face unique language and literacy challenges.

The funding also will support teachers and parents in using technology to strengthen communication, digital literacy, and family engagement at Cesar E. Chavez Middle School in Planada, California. Montague Charter Academy for Arts and Sciences.

$99,500 Serving 125 students in Pacoima, Ca. Receiving this grant is a transformative opportunity for our school, empowering us to provide LTG-enabled computers to underserved and academically struggling students. This vital support not only enhances learning outcomes but also uplifts our entire community by bridging the digital divide and fostering educational equity for those who need it most.

Digital Divide Grant Program Round 3 The Digital Divide Grant Program via Resolution T-17892, on October 9, 2025, authorized round three of the Digital Divide Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 with up to $200,000 appropriations from Digital Divide Account.

Resolution T-17892 ( Application Instructions are in Appendix A of the Resolution ) The total grant amount available is $200,000 yearly, on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted or otherwise discontinued. This Resolution authorizes up to: $100,000 to projects for low-income rural and urban schools, and up to two $50,000 awards to projects for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

The source of the funding is the Digital Divide Account. The grants are aimed at reducing the digital divide in schools and communities located in low-income urban and rural areas by providing necessary resources and access to digital technology. The projects aim to deliver holistic solutions through digital literacy training, take-home devices, and broadband connections.

Detailed application instructions are attached to resolution T-17892 at Appendix A. For schools who wish to apply for DDGP, please refer to the List of Eligible Schools . Applicants will submit completed applications, including all required documents, by email to: DigitalDivideGrantProgram@cpuc.

ca. gov .

Resolution setting forth the DDGP adopted Application period begins Staff review and scoring of grant applications completed Awardees announced via Notice of Draft Resolution Notice of Award provided upon adoption of Final Resolution Owens Valley School Press Conference Highlighting DDGP's Success Monarch, SPA, & East County Community School Student Training & Art Exhibition Wonderful College Prep Academy Student Training & Exhibition Thrive & Suprise Valley Joint Unified School District DDGP Webinar Coming Soon!

Topics include who can apply, the application process and deadlines. Please use this link to register prior to the webinar: TBA Look forward to seeing you. Digital Divide Grant Program webinar flyer: TBA The Digital Divide Grant Program Round 3 The Digital Divide Grant Program Round 3 Informational Flyer Application period from December 12, 2025, to February 12, 2026, has officially closed!

Submitted applications will be reviewed by DDGP staff and awardees will be announced via Commission Resolution.