The Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners (RTBP) program Year 2 will continue to build capacity for and accelerate digital inclusion planning and activity through regional partnerships, developing a more robust digital equity ecosystem.
The Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners Program will help deploy, sustain and maximize the benefits of broadband infrastructure investment in all regions of the state.
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners will receive funding and support provided by the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) in partnership with the Maine Broadband Coalition (MBC) and National Digital Equity Center (NDEC).
MCA, MBC, and NDEC will provide support for 13-15 regional partners who 1) build and lead digital inclusion efforts in their respective regions and 2) provide support for community and regional scale broadband infrastructure solutions.
How to Apply
All applicants will apply through MCA’s online grants portal. Applicants will be asked to describe Year 1 activities and accomplishments, identify partners and regional alliances, strategies and goals for Year 2 of activities, a timeline and a budget.
Key Dates
- Application Opens: August 21, 2023
- Proposal Deadline: September 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm EDT
- Award Announcement: November 17, 2023
- Funding Awarded: January 1, 2024
Program Goals
- Support community-driven broadband solutions that ensure universal connectivity.
- Strengthen and grow the number of partners focusing on digital equity and inclusion.
- Create alignment and coordination between communities, regions, and the state.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for this grant program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, planning commissions, economic development agencies or organizations, councils of government (COGs), schools, libraries, Indian Tribal governments or political subdivisions of tribal governments.
- Applicants must be located in the identified region to be served OR be adjacent and able to demonstrate previous experience, role, and/or relationships within the proposed region.
- Applicants in regions covered by the Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners are NOT excluded from applying to MCA's Get Ready Community Support Program, which will provide technical assistance and resources to specific communities. These two programs will complement each other by amplifying the impact of accelerated community broadband planning by creating alignment and coordination at a regional level. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, planning commissions, economic development agencies or organizations, councils of government (COGs), schools, libraries, Indian Tribal governments or political subdivisions of tribal governments.
Grant Deliverables
Grantees should develop work plans and budgets which will accomplish the following deliverables as part of the program in Year 2:
- Provide support and education to communities and groups of communities within the region to help support broadband engagement and community-supported infrastructure solutions;
- Work with MCA and partners on shared broadband and digital equity priorities, such as the Digital Equity Asset Inventory online tool, the state-led challenge process, and regional-specific resources as part of the community resource hub;
- Continue to convene and grow a broad regional alliance focused on digital inclusion;
- Work with these partners to implement digital inclusion activities that contribute toward the regional and state digital equity goals;
- Serve on the statewide Digital Equity Taskforce;
- Serve as a point of contact and resource both for communities and MCA to provide regional/tribal perspectives to the state and engage communities in state planning and deployment efforts;
Please note: regular monthly Regional and Tribal Broadband Partner meetings are likely to continue pending the outcome of the conversations currently taking place about the best structure for these meetings moving forward. Optional office hours will continue to be held regularly to allow partners to connect with MCA and one another as needed.
Ineligible expenses:
- Funding will not be eligible for use in matching MCA grants.
- Funding won’t be eligible for funding capital projects without prior consent from MCA.
- An indirect cost rate cannot be used with this contract funding; however, reasonable and necessary direct administrative costs are allowable.
- Please see the FAQs for more information.
If a recipient has a current Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (“NICRA”) established with a Federal cognizant agency responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and approving cost allocation plans or indirect cost proposals, then the recipient may use its current NICRA. Alternatively, if the recipient does not have a NICRA, the recipient may elect to use the de minimis rate of 10 percent of the modified total direct costs pursuant to 2 CFR 200.414(f).
Program Priorities
Note: This program is currently restricted to partners who participated in Year 1 of this program. New applicants will be invited to apply if a regional or tribal partner decides not to continue in Year 2. MCA staff will work with the existing Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners to co-design work plans and activities for Year 2.
Staff & Technical Support
The MCA, MBC, and NDEC staff, as well as additional consultants as needed, will work directly with the Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners, including:
- Coordinating as needed meetings of Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners through office hours and regular monthly gatherings;
- Meeting individually with Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners and/or attending meetings in within the region or with the Tribes and tribal communities;
- Providing general broadband and digital equity education and support for community-engagement and education about broadband solutions within each region;
- Providing regular updates about infrastructure projects within each region and advising on infrastructure solutions and grant opportunities;
- Supporting the implementation of regional digital inclusion plans and state digital equity plan activities;
- Creating connections with other states/regions, organizations, and practitioners to provide shared learning opportunities;
- Other support as these needs are identified throughout the program.
Funding Available
This program offers a maximum funding award of $270,000 for year 2. If partner organizations have carryover funds from Year 1, the funding requested for Year 2 should be the total request minus the carryover amount. (e.g. If your request for Year 2 would be $200,000 and you have $15,000 carrying over, request $185,000 for Year 2.)
Successful completion of Year 1 deliverables and reports are required before Year 2 funding will be awarded. It is anticipated that Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners will use the funding to support broadband staff position(s), consulting or contract roles, and to enable partners and individuals to participate fully in regional alliances through stipends or partner grants, in addition to communications, materials, or program expenses as needed. Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners are also encouraged to identify organizational partners to implement digital inclusion activities and programs, where those organizations are working directly with covered populations and/or are well positioned digital inclusion practitioners.
The MCA will make the final award decisions and will consult with each partner individually regarding region or tribal specific work plans and activities.
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners, as well as communities and groups of communities within each region, may also apply for other MCA grant programs such as the Get Ready, Connect the Ready, or Reach Me programs.
Reporting and Compliance
Year 2 funding will be awarded in December 2023, for a performance period of 13 months. Awardees must file quarterly, annual, and final reports as required by U.S. Treasury Guidance. Quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports timeline:
- Q1 reporting (Dec 2023-Mar 2024) - due by April 15 (4 month reporting period)
- Q2 reporting (Apr-Jun 2024) - due by July 15
- Q3 reporting (July-Sep 2024) - due by October 15
- Q4 reporting (Oct-Dec 2024) - due by January 15
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners Program (Year 2)
The Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners (RTBP) program Year 2 will continue to build capacity for and accelerate digital inclusion planning and activity through regional partnerships, developing a more robust digital equity ecosystem.
The Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners Program will help deploy, sustain and maximize the benefits of broadband infrastructure investment in all regions of the state.
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners will receive funding and support provided by the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) in partnership with the Maine Broadband Coalition (MBC) and National Digital Equity Center (NDEC).
MCA, MBC, and NDEC will provide support for 13-15 regional partners who 1) build and lead digital inclusion efforts in their respective regions and 2) provide support for community and regional scale broadband infrastructure solutions.
How to Apply
All applicants will apply through MCA’s online grants portal. Applicants will be asked to describe Year 1 activities and accomplishments, identify partners and regional alliances, strategies and goals for Year 2 of activities, a timeline and a budget.
Key Dates
- Application Opens: August 21, 2023
- Proposal Deadline: September 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm EDT
- Award Announcement: November 17, 2023
- Funding Awarded: January 1, 2024
Program Goals
- Support community-driven broadband solutions that ensure universal connectivity.
- Strengthen and grow the number of partners focusing on digital equity and inclusion.
- Create alignment and coordination between communities, regions, and the state.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for this grant program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, planning commissions, economic development agencies or organizations, councils of government (COGs), schools, libraries, Indian Tribal governments or political subdivisions of tribal governments.
- Applicants must be located in the identified region to be served OR be adjacent and able to demonstrate previous experience, role, and/or relationships within the proposed region.
- Applicants in regions covered by the Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners are NOT excluded from applying to MCA's Get Ready Community Support Program, which will provide technical assistance and resources to specific communities. These two programs will complement each other by amplifying the impact of accelerated community broadband planning by creating alignment and coordination at a regional level. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, planning commissions, economic development agencies or organizations, councils of government (COGs), schools, libraries, Indian Tribal governments or political subdivisions of tribal governments.
Grant Deliverables
Grantees should develop work plans and budgets which will accomplish the following deliverables as part of the program in Year 2:
- Provide support and education to communities and groups of communities within the region to help support broadband engagement and community-supported infrastructure solutions;
- Work with MCA and partners on shared broadband and digital equity priorities, such as the Digital Equity Asset Inventory online tool, the state-led challenge process, and regional-specific resources as part of the community resource hub;
- Continue to convene and grow a broad regional alliance focused on digital inclusion;
- Work with these partners to implement digital inclusion activities that contribute toward the regional and state digital equity goals;
- Serve on the statewide Digital Equity Taskforce;
- Serve as a point of contact and resource both for communities and MCA to provide regional/tribal perspectives to the state and engage communities in state planning and deployment efforts;
Please note: regular monthly Regional and Tribal Broadband Partner meetings are likely to continue pending the outcome of the conversations currently taking place about the best structure for these meetings moving forward. Optional office hours will continue to be held regularly to allow partners to connect with MCA and one another as needed.
Ineligible expenses:
- Funding will not be eligible for use in matching MCA grants.
- Funding won’t be eligible for funding capital projects without prior consent from MCA.
- An indirect cost rate cannot be used with this contract funding; however, reasonable and necessary direct administrative costs are allowable.
- Please see the FAQs for more information.
If a recipient has a current Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (“NICRA”) established with a Federal cognizant agency responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and approving cost allocation plans or indirect cost proposals, then the recipient may use its current NICRA. Alternatively, if the recipient does not have a NICRA, the recipient may elect to use the de minimis rate of 10 percent of the modified total direct costs pursuant to 2 CFR 200.414(f).
Program Priorities
Note: This program is currently restricted to partners who participated in Year 1 of this program. New applicants will be invited to apply if a regional or tribal partner decides not to continue in Year 2. MCA staff will work with the existing Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners to co-design work plans and activities for Year 2.
Staff & Technical Support
The MCA, MBC, and NDEC staff, as well as additional consultants as needed, will work directly with the Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners, including:
- Coordinating as needed meetings of Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners through office hours and regular monthly gatherings;
- Meeting individually with Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners and/or attending meetings in within the region or with the Tribes and tribal communities;
- Providing general broadband and digital equity education and support for community-engagement and education about broadband solutions within each region;
- Providing regular updates about infrastructure projects within each region and advising on infrastructure solutions and grant opportunities;
- Supporting the implementation of regional digital inclusion plans and state digital equity plan activities;
- Creating connections with other states/regions, organizations, and practitioners to provide shared learning opportunities;
- Other support as these needs are identified throughout the program.
Funding Available
This program offers a maximum funding award of $270,000 for year 2. If partner organizations have carryover funds from Year 1, the funding requested for Year 2 should be the total request minus the carryover amount. (e.g. If your request for Year 2 would be $200,000 and you have $15,000 carrying over, request $185,000 for Year 2.)
Successful completion of Year 1 deliverables and reports are required before Year 2 funding will be awarded. It is anticipated that Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners will use the funding to support broadband staff position(s), consulting or contract roles, and to enable partners and individuals to participate fully in regional alliances through stipends or partner grants, in addition to communications, materials, or program expenses as needed. Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners are also encouraged to identify organizational partners to implement digital inclusion activities and programs, where those organizations are working directly with covered populations and/or are well positioned digital inclusion practitioners.
The MCA will make the final award decisions and will consult with each partner individually regarding region or tribal specific work plans and activities.
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners, as well as communities and groups of communities within each region, may also apply for other MCA grant programs such as the Get Ready, Connect the Ready, or Reach Me programs.
Reporting and Compliance
Year 2 funding will be awarded in December 2023, for a performance period of 13 months. Awardees must file quarterly, annual, and final reports as required by U.S. Treasury Guidance. Quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports timeline:
- Q1 reporting (Dec 2023-Mar 2024) - due by April 15 (4 month reporting period)
- Q2 reporting (Apr-Jun 2024) - due by July 15
- Q3 reporting (July-Sep 2024) - due by October 15
- Q4 reporting (Oct-Dec 2024) - due by January 15