Info Session for Interested Applicants: December 13 at 12pm
Digital Opportunity Networks
Program Description​
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The Digital Opportunity Networks program will support networks of partners to enable digital inclusion programs and initiatives for people most impacted by the digital divide, including internet access, digital skill building, access to devices, technical support, and internet safety education.
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The Digital Opportunity Networks program is designed to integrate digital inclusion support into programs, processes, and organizations that are already reaching Maine people who face the most barriers to connectivity, so they can access the digital world that sometimes feels out of reach. Grants from this program should enable greater impact on economic, education, workforce, healthcare, civic, and social outcomes of the people served by these grantee organizations. The program serves as an important bridge between our efforts to deploy infrastructure to unserved homes, businesses, and communities by investing in digital inclusion programs to address barriers and better serve all Maine people.
Who is Eligible?​
Nonprofit organizations, state agencies, community anchor institutions, and local, regional or Tribal government entities
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Deadlines
Potential applicants must submit a Letter of Intent as the first phase of the application by March 3, 2025. Selected applicants must then submit complete applications by April 30, 2025. ​​
MCA Contact
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Maggie Drummond Bahl
Sr. Director, Digital Equity & Partnerships
mbahl@maineconnectivity.org
(207) 209-3841
Who is eligible to apply?
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Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state agencies, community anchor institutions, and local, regional or Tribal government entities. One organization must serve as a lead applicant, coordinating other partners who are engaged in the project and programming that may be offered through a project.
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Proposed projects must provide all four of the following areas of digital inclusion support to people or communities they serve: digital skills training, devices that meet the needs of the user, technical support, and internet safety education, AND must exclusively or primarily provide these programs and services to individuals defined as “covered populations'' by the Digital Equity Act.
How to Apply
The Digital Opportunity Networks program is an open and competitive grant process. Potential applicants must submit a Letter of Intent as the first phase of the application by 11:59PM on March 3, 2025. Invitations to apply will be based on the strength of the submitted proposal in meeting the criteria and goals of the program, an initial evaluation of the organizational, managerial and financial capacity of the applicant, and on ensuring a diversity of populations reached, project impacts, and types of applicants and partners. All invited applicants must meet the basic criteria for the program. MCA will be utilizing this two phase approach to ensure consideration of all interested applicants’ project proposals while limiting the need for developing a more comprehensive application submission to invited applicants who have the highest likelihood of receiving funding. Invited applicants submit complete applications by 11:59PM on April 30, 2025.
STEP 1: Applicants must complete the Letter of Intent in the MCA Grant Portal by March 3, 2025.
STEP 2: MCA will review and score all Letters of Intent and notify applicants who are invited to complete a full application by April 1.
STEP 3: Invited applicants must complete the full application in the MCA Grant Portal by April 30, 2025.
STEP 4: Proposals outlined in full applications will be reviewed and awarded by MCA staff and Board by July 2025.
STEP 5: MCA will submit the full list of subgrantees to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by August 1, 2025, while contracting takes place.
MCA reserves the right, though is not required, to ask applicants to make minor adjustments to proposals in order to facilitate full review of a project or facilitate a grant decision or award.
Criteria & Priorities
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Digital inclusion
Proposed projects must provide all four of the following areas of digital inclusion support to people or communities they serve: digital skills training, devices that meet the needs of the user, technical support, and internet safety education. (If some of these elements are already being offered, the proposal can address gaps in comprehensive support by proposing to add the other elements). Applicants can also include other elements of digital inclusion and complementary activities - such as helping people navigate or apply for government resources online, or facilitating telehealth access - as long as these activities are in alignment with the Maine Digital Equity Plan. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that these elements of digital inclusion will make existing programs more impactful or effective for the people they serve.
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People served
Proposed projects must exclusively or primarily provide these programs and services to individuals defined as “covered populations'' by the Digital Equity Act. These include:
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Low-income households (at or below 150% FPL - Federal Poverty Line)
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Older adults (60+)
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Incarcerated individuals or individuals in reentry
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Veterans
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Individuals with a disability
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Individuals who are English-language learners or have low literacy
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Individuals who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups
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Rural inhabitants (Because more than 75% of Maine residents are rural inhabitants, applications that serve rural people who are also one or more other covered populations are strongly recommended.)
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Broad reach
Proposals that reach more than a single local or county level geography and have statewide applicability or broad reach and impact on specific covered populations they’re intended to serve.
Low barrier to access
The support must be available to access at no cost.​
Funding Available​
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Funding available for the Digital Opportunity Networks Grant program in 2025 is $5 million.
MCA expects to award between 8-12 projects in July 2025. The average grant award in this program will be $500,000 with a minimum grant size of $250,000 and a maximum grant size of $750,000.
