Native American tribes can avail themselves of two new broadband funding opportunities from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Some of the money will come from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and some will come from the Native Entities Grant Program (NEGP). Together, $790 million will be available to Tribal and Native communities.
The funds can be used to advance broadband connectivity on Tribal lands, promote infrastructure availability, and support related activities.
The TBCP is a $3 billion program directed to Tribal Governments, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Tribal Organizations and Native Corporations, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, and broadband affordability.
The NEGP is for entities including Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations. It establishes a competitive process to make Grant Funds available to Native Entities to carry out activities consistent with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The application window is open for both programs opened yesterday and closes September 17, 2026. NTIA expects to make awards on a rolling basis beginning in spring 2027. Additional information is available on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA website.
The need for better broadband for Tribal communities is evident, with between 18% and 25% of people living in those communities lacking reliable access to broadband internet, according to a recent report from the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA).
