Description
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is announcing the acceptance of applications for Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) for Fiscal Year 2023. The BTA program provides competitive cooperative agreement funding to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training that promotes the expansion of broadband into rural areas. Examples of broadband technical assistance projects may include conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs, and developing broadband financial assistance applications. The program encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance key priorities such as assisting rural communities to recover economically, ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs, and reducing climate pollution.
Some key points to consider:
• Eligible entities include Federally recognized Tribes, State or local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, and corporations.
• The program has three funding categories: technical assistance providers, technical assistance recipients, and projects supporting cooperatives.
• Applicants must submit their applications electronically through Grants.gov by June 20, 2023.
• The application must include a written narrative proposal, Standard Form 424, and other required forms and supporting documentation.
• The scoring criteria include project work plan, organizational capacity, targeted communities, rurality, economic need, and performance measures.