What’s Next for Digital Equity? Preparing for the Competitive Grant Program

As required by the Digital Equity Act, the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program will be established soon, making hundreds of millions of dollars available in the first Notice of Funding Opportunity to implement digital inclusion projects. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandates that funding be directed towards programs designed to empower those impacted by the digital divide, known as Covered Populations. Covered Populations include low-income households, aging populations, incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, people with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural inhabitants. It is crucial to recognize that Covered Populations are not monolithic groups but encompass individuals with unique needs and lived experiences. When individuals are members of more than one of the Covered Populations they may experience even greater barriers to accessing digital technology, underscoring the importance of tailored solutions. Digital Equity is more than just an acknowledgement of the digital divide—it is about creating tangible socioeconomic opportunities. Digital Equity is more than just an acknowledgement of the digital divide—it is about creating tangible socioeconomic opportunities.