Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Department of Commerce, is offering up to 540 million dollars in grant funding to expand broadband access and adoption on Tribal Lands. Eligible entities include Tribal Governments, Tribal Colleges or Universities, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Tribal organizations, and Alaskan Native Corporations. Funding is available for two primary project categories: Infrastructure Deployment, with awards ranging from 1 million to 25 million dollars, and Use and Adoption, with general awards typically between 500,000 and 2.5 million dollars. Additionally, up to 500,000 dollars may be allocated to each Federally Recognized Tribe for equitable distribution. Applications must be submitted by November 17, 2026, via Grants.gov, email, or postal mail. The selection process is competitive, utilizing a three-stage review consisting of initial eligibility, merit review based on a 100-point scale, and a final programmatic review. Key requirements for applicants include active SAM registration, a Unique Entity Identifier, and adherence to Build America, Buy America domestic content preferences. Awardees must commit funds within 18 months and expend them within four years. Projects are evaluated on need, organizational capability, budget feasibility, and strategic impact, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity alignment with NIST and CISA frameworks.