Digital Equity Grant Winners Not Notified of Official Pause

Groups recommended for digital equity grants from the federal government have not been notified of a pause on funds. Entities did receive notice that travel related to diversity efforts would not be an allowable expense. The Free Press reported the Trump administration had frozen funding for two programs under the Digital Equity Act, totaling about $2.7 billion. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration had recommended 65 municipalities, universities, and nonprofits for $619 million in grant funding under the Biden administration, but they need to get through a budget review by the agency’s grant manager before accessing funds. It’s possible the grant manager review could leave awardees in an extended limbo without an official pause. The same agency managing the digital equity grants is also still reviewing awards under an NTIA broadband infrastructure program the Trump administration has been critical of.