NTIA-CMCPP-2021: Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of National Telecommunications and Information Admini notices from 2021.
National Telecommunications and Information Admini offered grants to the applicants described in the notice. Applications closed on December 1, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed November 9, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | August 3, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | December 1, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | December 31, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
The Act defines an eligible recipient as: (1) a historically Black college or university (HBCU); (2) a Tribal College or University (TCU); (3) a Minority-serving institution (MSI); or (4) a consortium that is led by a historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or University, or a Minority-serving institution and that also includes: (a) an MBE; or (b) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code. Additionally, an eligible recipient must be in an “anchor community,” defined in part as having an estimated median annual household income of not more than two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the poverty line. A consortium is eligible for a grant under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program if it is led by an eligible institution as defined above.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (96% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 902, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) (“the Act”). The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program provides new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants for the expansion of broadband internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. The Act authorizes new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities: for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise (MBE); or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Act also authorizes grants to a consortium, led by an eligible recipient institution (i.e., educational institution), that includes an MBE or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. See Section I of this NOFO for the full Program Description.
Who has won Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (11.028) awarded $262 million across 93 grant awards, an average of $2.8 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern University and a & M College | Louisiana | 1 | $6.2 million |
| Johnson C. Smith University, Incorporated | North Carolina | 1 | $5.7 million |
| Florida a & M University | Florida | 1 | $5.4 million |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | California | 1 | $5.3 million |
| Shaw University | North Carolina | 1 | $5.1 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is NTIA-CMCPP-2021 still open?
No. It closed on December 1, 2021.
Who can apply for Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program?
National Telecommunications and Information Admini accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program?
Closed December 1, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
Who has won Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Southern University and a & M College, Johnson C. Smith University, Incorporated, Florida a & M University. The program made 93 awards worth $262 million in that time.