NTIA’s initiative will work with connected HBCUs, or “Smart HBCUs,” to promote them as hubs of digital applications and innovation, and ensure their inclusion and awareness of broadband deployment grant opportunities. The MBI also will seek to partner with federal agencies, local governments, and the private sector to lay the groundwork for extensive expansion of broadband networks across HBCU campuses and throughout the rural South.The MBI is focused on two high-level goals:
-Convening a forum where stakeholders can explore options for leveraging HBCU broadband infrastructure to connect neighboring communities of vulnerable populations.
-Using broadband infrastructure investment as a catalyst for adoption that will result in job growth and economic development and deployment of advanced mobile technologies primarily in the economically distressed communities of the rural South.
Eligible Recipients:
Higher Education Institution
Eligible Recipients Detail:
Historically Black Colleges and Universities from where HBCU broadband infrastructure can connect neighboring communities of vulnerable populations.
Eligible Purpose:
Last Mile Infrastructure; Middle Mile Infrastructure; Digital Skills Training
Eligible Purpose Detail:
This program would fund HBCU activities to extend broadband infrastructure from HBCUs to homes and businesses and fund programs to help local populations adopt broadband towards community and economic development goals.
