Alaska Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (US)

The purpose of the Grant Program is to implement the ADEP. To that end, applications for project funding must implement elements of the ADEP and benefit one or more Covered Populations.

Objectives

• Alaska Digital Equity Vision
  • The vision identified in the ADEP is, “Every Alaskan, as part of their quality of life, will have the digital tools, access, and skills to affordably participate online, wherever they are.”
• Federal Digital Equity Strategies:
  • The National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) has identified five federal categories to address the digital divide. Those include Digital Literacy, Online Accessibility and Inclusivity, Online Privacy and Cybersecurity, Devices and Affordability, and Availability and Affordability. The ADEP includes one strategy and key performance indicator (KPI) for each federal objective:
    • Digital Literacy: Ensure information and training is available in ways meaningful to Alaska’s eight covered populations. KPI: Increase the number of pathways to broadband access at public entities.
    • Online Accessibility and Inclusivity: Increase support for Alaska’s Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) by developing an effective and lowcost Digital Equity Policy Plan. KPI: Encourage nonprofits to increase their focus on digital equity.
    • Online Privacy and Cybersecurity: Launch a statewide digital literacy campaign. KPI: Increase the number of Alaskans who are digitally literate.
    • Devices and Affordability: Create a program for device refurbishment, distribution, and maintenance. KPI: Increase the number of Alaskans who have access to an affordable device that meets their needs.
    • Availability and Affordability: Develop an initiative for broadband affordability that includes policy, available pricing, Affordable Connectivity Program (or successor program) enrollment, and identification of new funding strategies. KPI: Increase share of Alaskans for whom broadband is affordable.
• Covered Population Digital Equity Goals:
  • Individuals with a Language Barrier: Make digital resources widely available to individuals with a language barrier
  • Incarcerated Individuals: Ensure accessibility and digital literacy for incarcerated individuals
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Increase digital skills, privacy, and cybersecurity
  • Individuals in Covered Households: Increase economic opportunities available through broadband for Alaskans in covered households
  • Aging Individuals: Increase digital safety, security, and digital literacy and competencies in Alaskans aged 60+
  • Veterans: Increase mental health outcomes of veterans through the use of digital options
  • Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority: Ensure full inclusion of minorities in Alaska through digital literacy campaigns
  • Individuals Living in Rural Areas: Ensure rural Alaska online participation through increased access to broadband
• Covered Population Digital Equity Strategies:
  • Individuals with a Language Barrier: Ensure resources, including government websites and digital literacy materials are accessible to English learners
  • Incarcerated Individuals: Provide access to technology within correctional facilities across Alaska to facilitate opportunities for rehabilitation and re-entry in ways that promote public safety without cost to incarcerated Alaskans
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Launch a statewide digital literacy campaign focused on reaching Alaskans with disabilities
  • Individuals in Covered Households: Increase access to and educational opportunities for economic growth of low-income Alaskans
  • Aging Individuals: Launch a statewide digital literacy campaign for seniors
  • Veterans: Equip Alaska Veterans with digital technology so they can meet virtually regarding their healthcare needs
  • Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority: Provide digital resources in culturally appropriate formats
  • Individuals Living in Rural Areas: Deliver 100/20 Mbps broadband internet to rural Alaskans
• Covered Population Key Performance Indicators:
  • Individuals with a Language Barrier: Best practices for website readability and language accessibility will be identified and incorporated into State of Alaska practices
  • Incarcerated Individuals: Digital literacy education levels will be improved
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Digital resources will be made accessible for persons with disabilities
  • Individuals in Covered Households: Online options will be increased for members of covered households
  • Aging Individuals: The number of Alaskans over age 60 who are digitally literate will be increased
  • Veterans: The availability of online mental health resources for veterans will be increased
  • Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority: Culturally appropriate digital literacy trainings and materials will be developed
  • Individuals Living in Rural Areas: Reduce the number of unserved and underserved locations in rural Alaska
• Broadband Workforce Development Goals:
  • Increase the number of Alaskans qualified to fill broadband construction and operations occupations
  • Develop a diverse and inclusive regional broadband industry workforce
  • Strengthen and expand post-deployment capacity for residents to learn about and navigate education, training, and career opportunities, including self-employment, available using high-speed broadband access
• Broadband Workforce Development Strategies:
  • Implement the Broadband Workforce Development Plan and build a sustainable standards-based program, with a focus on public and private partnerships to produce a highly skilled and technically trained workforce that can meet industry labor supply challenges
  • Build upon existing construction industry training and workforce efforts
  • Increase career awareness and information about telecommunications occupations and employment
  • Increase education and training programs that prepare students and adults for apprenticeships and entry-level employment in telecommunications occupations
  • Put in place recruitment, training, and employment efforts focused on historically underrepresented groups

Funding Information

• Alaska’s allocation from NTIA for the first tranche of Grant Program funding is $5,631,769.64. The ABO estimates $3,453,186.90 will be made available, subject to eligible funding, for the Grant Program, of which one quarter ($863,296.73) is reserved for agencies of the State of Alaska.
• Period of Performance: The Alaska Broadband Office is required to expend grant funds within five years beginning on December 1, 2024, the date the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant was awarded to the ABO. The period of performance for sub awardees under the Grant Program is July 16, 2025-August 31, 2029.

Expected Outcomes

• Performance outcomes can be found in the KPIs within the ADEP, and in the Actions of the BWDP. Proposed projects must identify and track progress toward achieving these outcomes. Proposed projects must also identify progress toward achieving outcomes identified in other relevant statewide plans addressing economic and workforce development, education, health, civic and social engagement, judicial access, and delivery of other essential services.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entities eligible to apply for the Alaska Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program include agencies of the State of Alaska, political subdivisions of the State of Alaska, Alaska Tribal governments, Alaska Native entities, Indian Tribes, school districts, institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and community anchor institutions.

For more information, visit Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.