Eligible, federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal entities may apply for the 2022 National Tribal Broadband Grant Program through the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development.
The grant program will fund 15-27 grants, ranging from $100,000 to $175,000, to support feasibility studies for the installation or expansion of high-speed internet, according to an Aug. 17 Bureau of Indian Affairs news release. The grants will be for two years.
“Reliable, high-speed internet access in Tribal communities enables many opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship and social connection,” Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in the news release. “These elements are all critical to our goal of making sure that people have the opportunity to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives in their Tribal communities.”
According to the release, only American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal entities listed in 87 FR 4636 are eligible for the grants. The program’s funds will be used for planning for installation or expansion of broadband internet.
“The purpose of the National Tribal Broadband Grant Program is to improve the quality of life, spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for self-employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities and meet emergency and law enforcement needs by bringing broadband services to Native American communities that lack them,” the news release reported.
For more information, contact Dennis Wilson, Division of Economic Development grant management specialist, OIED-Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, at 505-917-3235 or dennis.wilson@bia.gov, the release reported.
