DOC NIST ERA · Department of Commerce
Native Entities Grant Program
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 17, 2026 · 41 days left
- Award size
- Not stated: see the official notice
- Match ?
- Required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Set by the official notice: see Who can apply below
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- Needs a match (see how much in the notice)
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/cc2a99b9-6669-4f45-b233-9189edfaa59e · Printed from grantme.click/grants/3a1d1954-2fab-4055-a8d2-7e0a2a38cb7e
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
More from DOC NIST ERA
- Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program · Due Nov 17, 2026 · 41 days left
About this grant
NTIA is soliciting applications for the Native Entities Grant Program (“Program”), authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division F, Title III, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429, 1209 (November 15, 2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. §1701, 1721, et seq.) (the “Digital Equity Act of 2021” or “Act”). The Act authorizes two programs that set aside funds for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations (collectively “Native Entities”): the “State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program” and the “Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.” To reduce administrative burden and cost, NTIA is releasing the funds for both programs through a single application process.
Applicants should visit BroadbandUSA to download the NEGP-specific application forms in addition to those standard forms available for download on grants.gov.
Native Entities Grant Program | BroadbandUSA
Who can apply, from the official notice
The following entities are eligible to receive grants under the Native Entities Grant Program: 1. An Indian Tribe, an Alaska Native entity, or a Native Hawaiian organization (“Native Entity”); or 2. A partnership between Eligible Entities (“Consortium”). See Section III of this NOFO for additional information concerning the eligibility requirements for this program.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Oct27
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Nov10
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Nov14
Submit
Suggested: submit a few days early. Agency portals can slow down near deadlines. - Nov17
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice NTIA_Amended_NEGP_NOFO_2026.pdf (45 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Registrations you need first (4)
SAM.gov · p. 21
“System for Award Management (SAM) Pursuant to 2 C.F.R.” Open page 21
Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 21
“(i) provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application;” Open page 21
eRA Commons · p. 21
“Electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons Registration Applicants must be registered in eRA Commons prior to submitting an application.” Open page 21
Grants.gov · p. 21
“While applications are submitted through Grants.gov, eRA Commons registration is required to facilitate the processing of awards and post-award administration.” Open page 21
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Form SF-424 · p. 15
“All budget information in the Consolidated Budget Form must support the dollar amounts identified in the Eligible Entity’s SF-424, demonstrate that the project or activity meets the eligible use requirements in this NOFO, and reflect only allowable costs…” Open page 15
Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 15
“If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, the applicant must either provide a copy of their approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or include a statement that they are electing to charge the de minimis rate, in accordance with 2 C.F.R.…” Open page 15
Budget narrative / justification · p. 15
“The applicant must clearly describe in the budget narrative how it applied or calculated its administrative costs and demonstrate that its combined direct and indirect administrative costs are both at or under the 10% limit.” Open page 15
Form CD-511 · p. 17
“CD-511 Certification Regarding Lobbying o Applicants should enter “2026-NTIA-NEGP” in the Award Number field.” Open page 17
Form SF-LLL · p. 38
“NTIA will use Standard Forms 424 (Application for Federal Assistance), 424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs), 424C (Budget Information for Construction Programs), 424D (Assurances for Construction Programs), 425 (Federal Financial Report), and…” Open page 38
Length limits
Executive Summary: 1,000 words max · p. 12
“An Executive Summary (not to exceed 1,000 words).” Open page 12
Eligible Entity: 250 words max · p. 12
“Status as an Eligible Entity (not to exceed 250 words).” Open page 12
Demonstrated Need: 500 words max · p. 12
“Demonstrated Need (not to exceed 500 words).” Open page 12
Funded Activities: 1,000 words max · p. 13
“Funded Activities (not to exceed 1,000 words).” Open page 13
Project Plan: 5 pages max · p. 14
“Project Plan (not to exceed 5 pages).” Open page 14
Implementation Team: 500 words max · p. 14
“Implementation Team (not to exceed 500 words).” Open page 14
Existing Programs: 500 words max · p. 14
“Alignment with Existing Programs (not to exceed 500 words).” Open page 14
Funding Variance: 250 words max · p. 14
“Justification for Funding Variance (If Applicable, not to exceed 250 words).” Open page 14
Other Funding Sources: 500 words max · p. 14
“Other Funding Sources (not to exceed 500 words).” Open page 14
How applications are scored (100 points in total)
Build your narrative outline from these criteria
Project Purpose and Need: 35 points · p. 24
“Project Purpose and Need (35 points)” Open page 24
Project Need: 20 points · p. 24
“Project Need (20 Points)” Open page 24
Project Purpose: 15 points · p. 25
“Project Purpose (15 Points) o Reviewers will assess whether the proposed activities address the unmet demand or identifiable barriers to broadband use and adoption. o Reviewers will assess the extent to which the Project improves the access to, and use of,…” Open page 25
Performance Measures and Sustainability: 15 points · p. 25
“Performance Measures and Sustainability (15 points)” Open page 25
Strength of Project Implementation Plan and Budget: 25 points · p. 25
“Strength of Project Implementation Plan and Budget (25 points)” Open page 25
Strength of Applicant’s Organizational Capability: 25 points · p. 26
“Strength of Applicant’s Organizational Capability (25 points)” Open page 26
Cost share or match
Cost share / match · p. 3
“The inclusion of matching funds as part of an application beyond the required 10% will not be considered during Merit Review but is a selection factor during the OICG Associate Administrator Review and the Assistant Secretary Final Selection.” Open page 3
Cost share / match · p. 27
“Whether the application contains matching funds beyond the required 10%; 6.” Open page 27
Mistakes that get applications rejected (6)
Missing a required part: Partial or duplicate applications using multiple methods of transmission will not be accepted. · p. 1
“Partial or duplicate applications using multiple methods of transmission will not be accepted.” Open page 1
Could get your application rejected: The inclusion of matching funds as part of an application beyond the required 10% will not be considered... · p. 3
“The inclusion of matching funds as part of an application beyond the required 10% will not be considered during Merit Review but is a selection factor during the OICG Associate Administrator Review and the Assistant Secretary Final Selection.” Open page 3
Sent the wrong way or format: Facsimile submissions will not be accepted. · p. 11
“Facsimile submissions will not be accepted.” Open page 11
Could get your application rejected: Any information beyond one page for each resume and any additional resumes submitted will not be considered. g. · p. 16
“Any information beyond one page for each resume and any additional resumes submitted will not be considered. g.” Open page 16
Not registered in time: Entities without an active SAM.gov registration and/or UEI at the time of application submission and award... · p. 21
“Entities without an active SAM.gov registration and/or UEI at the time of application submission and award may be deemed ineligible for a grant award.” Open page 21
Could get your application rejected: However, failure of the prospective primary tier participant to furnish a certification or an explanation... · p. 41
“However, failure of the prospective primary tier participant to furnish a certification or an explanation shall disqualify such person from participation in this transaction. iii.” Open page 41
About the federal program
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, also called “DE Competitive Program”
Program number 11.036 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration · Grant
How applications are judged
The application review process will be conducted in three stages: (1) Initial Eligibility and Administrative Review, (2) Merit Review, and (3) Programmatic Review.
The Initial Eligibility and Administrative Review serves as the initial screening of all applications to determine if the applicant is eligible, the application materials are complete, and the applications were timely submitted.
Merit review will consider: (A) Project need, purpose, and benefits; (B) Strength of the applicant�s organizational capability; (C) Strength of project implementation plan and budget; (D) Project results and evaluation.
Programmatic Review will consider factors such as sustainability, innovation, and matching funds.
Match
None required (federal program listing).