Media Contact: 
Paloma Perez
paloma.perez@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC KICKS OFF GRANT PROGRAM TO RAISE NATIONWIDE AWARENESS OF AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
Outreach Grants to Focus on Reaching Historically Unserved and Underserved Communities, Including Tribal Communities
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WASHINGTON, November 10, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today announced it has created four complementary grant programs to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) nationwide.  The outreach program seeks to enlist trusted community messengers to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically unserved and underserved communities.  Partners will be provided with the funding needed to increase participation among eligible, low-income households in need of an internet connection.  

“The success of the Affordable Connectivity Program thus far has taught us some important lessons, and none more valuable than the importance of trusted messengers,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.   “Today, we’re building on that progress by offering local organizations additional support from the FCC.  Our outreach partners have already demonstrated creativity, perseverance, and a continued commitment to ensuring everyone, everywhere has the internet connections they need, and these outreach grants aim to supercharge those successful efforts.” 

The ACP is a $14.2 billion FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.  The program, which has served more than 14 million households to date, plays an integral role in helping to bridge the broadband affordability gap, which is an ongoing priority for Congress, the FCC, and across the federal government.  

The ACP Outreach Grant Program seeks to expand diverse outreach efforts nationwide, strengthen partner networks by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help build program awareness, with the ultimate goal of increasing ACP enrollment.  There are four complementary grant programs: 
· National Competitive Outreach Program
· Tribal Competitive Outreach Program
· Your Home, Your Internet Program
· ACP Navigator Pilot Program

With today’s announcement, the Commission is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $60 million for the National Competitive Outreach Program and $10 million for the Tribal Competitive Outreach Program.  Eligible applicants must submit applications for the National Competitive Outreach Program and the Tribal Competitive Outreach Program by January 9, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST.  




The Commission will follow up with a separate NOFO on November 21, 2022 for the Your Home, Your Internet and ACP Navigator Pilot grant programs.

For more information about the ACP Outreach Grant Program, see www.fcc.gov/acp-grants.  For questions about the program, contact ACPGrants@fcc.gov.  For assistance using www.grants.gov, please contact the Help Desk at (800) 518-4726 or email support@grants.gov. 

For Section 504 Compliance support, please contact the FCC Section 504 Compliance Officer at FCC504@fcc.gov.

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).