Middle Mile Grant Program
RFP Summary provided by the agency
Recognizing the middle mile’s central importance, Congress appropriated $1 billion for the Middle Mile Grant Program and identified two key objectives: to “encourage the expansion and extension of middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas to the backbone of the internet” and to “promote broadband connection resiliency through the creation of alternative network connection paths that can be designed to prevent single points of failure on a broadband network.”
Middle mile infrastructure broadly refers to the mid-section of Internet infrastructure that carries large amounts of data at high speeds over long distances. This program will also increase the resilience of Internet infrastructure.
Grants can be used for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure, including:
- Construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment
- Engineering design, permitting and work related to project reviews
- Personnel costs, incl. salaries and benefits for staff and consultants
- Other costs necessary to programmatic activities
Key questions to consider when preparing your application:
- Will this network result in lower prices for consumers?
- Will this project connect areas that currently lack service?
- Will this project provide more reliable internet service?
- How long will it take to build the network?
- Does the applicant have a demonstrated record of compliance with federal labor and employment laws?
- How does this project account for climate change risks?
Additional Links:
- NTIA website: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/grant-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-programhttps://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20562/nsf20562.pdf
- NTIA Grant portal: https://grants.ntia.gov/grantsPortal/s/funding-program/a0g3d00000018PAAAY/middle-mile-broadband-infrastructure-grant-program
- Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program overview: https://www.internetforall.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/MM%20Info%20Sheet%20-%20IFA%20Launch%20-%20Final.pdf
- Pre-NOFO Technical Assistance: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/grant-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-program#3940
What is the mission and focus of the program: research, social, economic or others?
Broadband Access
How do you submit to this opportunity?
Complete application packets must be submitted electronically through the NTIA Application Portal available at https://grants.ntia.gov/
Who are the target applicants: cities, universities, companies, small business, nonprofits, or others?
- a State,
- political subdivision of a State,
- Tribal government,
- technology company,
- electric utility,
- utility cooperative,
- public utility district,
- telecommunications company,
- telecommunications cooperative,
- nonprofit foundation,
- nonprofit corporation,
- nonprofit institution,
- nonprofit association,
- regional planning council,
- Native entity,
- economic development authority
- a partnership of two or more entities listed above
Webinar Information
- May 16, 2022: Internet for All Webinar Series: Bipartisan infrastructure Law Overview
- May 19, 2022: Internet for All Webinar Series: Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
- May 26, 2022: Internet for All Webinar Series – NOFO Technical Assistance Webinar: Enabling middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program Application Process
- Additional webinars here: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/events/latest-events
