Program Rules

These resources provide background on important program materials. The documents and links in this section include information on the Notices of Funds Availability (NOFAs) for BTOP and the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, as well as FAQs about BTOP.

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Round 1 and Supporting Materials

Each recipient is subject to program-specific compliance obligations. The NOFA issued prior to each round of funding set forth the application requirements and detailed the award’s standard terms and conditions. The final award recipient should only refer to the NOFA that corresponds with its award. The NOFA for Round 1 solicited applications for grants from July 14, 2009 to August 14, 2009.

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Round 2 and Supporting Materials

Each recipient is subject to program-specific compliance obligations. The NOFA issued prior to each round of funding set forth the application requirements and detailed the award’s standard terms and conditions. The final award recipient should only refer to the NOFA that corresponds with its award. The NOFA for Round 2 solicited applications for grants from February 16, 2010 to March 16, 2010. The application period was extended to March 26, 2010 for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI) applicants only.

There was an addendum to NOFA Round 2 that applied only to entities that received waiver authority from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use the 763–768/793–798 Megahertz (700 MHz) public safety broadband spectrum. The NOFA for Round 2 Limited Reopening solicited applications for grants from eligible organizations from June 1, 2010 to July 1, 2010.

State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (SBDD) and Supporting Materials

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) directed NTIA to develop and maintain a comprehensive nationwide inventory map of broadband service capability and availability, and to make the map publicly available via the Internet. NTIA awarded grants to all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, or their designees, to collect and verify statewide data about the availability, speed, and location of broadband Internet. This data collection is to be conducted on a semi-annual basis over a two-year period, with the data to be presented in a clear and accessible format to the public, government, and the research community. NTIA will use the data collected by grantees, in combination with other data sources, to create and publish the National Broadband Map online by February 17, 2011. The NOFA for SBDD solicited applications for grants from July 14, 2009 to August 14, 2009.

For additional information on the SBDD (also known as Broadband Mapping Program), please see the
State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program section.