Will project increase the affordability of and subscribership to the greatest population of users in an area?
Will it enhance service for health care delivery, education, or children to the greatest population of users in an area?
Will the project enrich an area due to additional support from another Federal program?
Application must support a socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern.
Will the project provide the greatest broadband speed possible to the greatest population of users in an area?
Will your project wisely invest the people’s money to create jobs and offer credible, functioning, and scalable models for accelerating the deployment of broadband?
Understand the broadband availability for your targeted community:
Broadband mapping will likely not be available for many areas; you need to research and understand the community (demographics, subscriber projections) and it’s access to broadband.
Identify who are the key supporters and investors in your project:
Address local, state and federal support for your project.
Identify key local and grassroots supporters of your project (education, health, etc.)
Identify the congressional leaders in the project's district and make them aware of it and ask for their support.
Know which funding process is right for you:
NTIA
At least one grant per state
20% matching fund requirement
Report requirements will be instituted and projects must be prepared to detail regular updates
Project demonstrates it would not be accomplished without federal assistance
RUS
Area served must be 75 percent rural
Report requirements will be instituted and projects must be prepared to detail regular updates
Project demonstrates it would not be accomplished without federal assistance
Registration for grant application:
All applicants must register with www.grants.gov before they can submit a grant application. See timeline below (click on thumbnail to enlarge)
Business plan preparation:
Government wants to see compelling evidence that the preliminary plans will result in a wise and successful investment
Description of the project
Disclose previous applications with the state/federal government that you have made in the past
Understand what the project implementation entails and all associated costs to deploy it
Detail your funding development (which sets of funds, you choose and any other available funding)
Detail your budget and revenue plan—projects should be self sustainable post funding
Provide proper documentation proving your plan
Demonstrate your project will be fully-funded and completed on time (i.e. shovel ready)
Identify the local requirements for implementation: right of way, zoning and permits
Identify federal statutes and regulations
Develop your technology plan:
Consider all aspects of network and service architecture
Leverage existing infrastructure
Identify all equipment vendors and their manufacturing certifications (Buy America, RUS certified)
Detail your network design, services and management
Fully detail your timeline for implementation. Note all projects must start within 90 days of funds received and completed with two-years.
Apply for your grant:
Set a deadline, preferably one week before the actual deadline
Finalize your business and technology plan that effectively articulates your business vision and how you plan to achieve your vision with this funding
Don’t include materials other than what is specifically requested
Keep accurate, organized records of your organization’s finances
Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for professional writing help.
