Trump Administration to Reinstate Broadband Grant Program with Key Provision Removed
Court ruling forces reinstatement but bars race/ethnicity criteria; $1.25B program to restart in December
Quick Look
The Trump administration will restart the $1.25B Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program in December, complying with a court order, but without using race or ethnicity as criteria for awards, as ruled unconstitutional.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Digital Equity Act of 2021 aimed to close broadband gaps with $2.75B in grants.
The Trump administration will restart the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program in December, as ordered by a court, but with a key provision removed: the ability to target grants based on race or ethnicity. This decision follows a lawsuit by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) against the Trump administration for ending the program, citing the Digital Equity Act of 2021 as racist and unconstitutional.
A US District Court ruled that using race or ethnicity as criteria for granting was unconstitutional but allowed the rest of the program to proceed. The program, aimed at closing broadband gaps, will now consider factors like income, age, and disability. The NDIA, which was slated to receive $25.7 million before the program's termination, calls the reinstatement "a massive win" but criticizes the removal of racial and ethnic considerations.
The Trump administration has not indicated plans to restart the separate $1.44 billion grant program for states, which was also discontinued. Preparations are underway to issue a new Notice of Funding Opportunity, with applications set to open in December. The NDIA is evaluating whether to reapply, pending the details of the new funding criteria.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
NDIA will reapply for a grant with adjusted criteria.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the Trump administration restore the $1.44B state grant program?
