# NTIA Prepares Digital Equity Grant Round

The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is expected to reopen under a new Notice of Funding Opportunity after a federal court ruled in July 2026 that the program could not simply be canceled. Applications could open as soon as December 2026, and the anticipated short application window makes early planning important for prospective applicants, state and local partners, and organizations supporting broadband access and digital inclusion.

- The U.S. Department of Commerce and its National Telecommunications and Information Administration are the key federal entities associated with the opportunity.
- Prospective applicants can begin building application partnerships and preparing materials now; the December 2026 opening is anticipated, not a confirmed deadline or release date.
- Broadband and digital equity organizations may benefit from identifying complementary partners and aligning proposed activities with the program’s forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

### Sources
- [Digital Equity Act grants are coming: Start building your application partnerships now | Benton Institute for Broadband & Society](https://www.benton.org/headlines/digital-equity-act-grants-are-coming-start-building-your-application-partnerships-now) - Benton Institute for Broadband & Society