The Digital Opportunity Department announces the Digital Workforce Initiative Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Developed based on guidance and workshops with valued stakeholders, the Broadband Advisory Council, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Digital Workforce Initiative aims to address the goals defined in the SC Digital Opportunity Plan and complies with federal funding priorities and requirements. This funding is made available by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant. All awards are conditional until reviewed and approved by NTIA prior to project start and disbursement of funds.
There will be three projects open for funding. Project categories include:
- Digital Navigator: Up to $2,000,000 subgranted to a single organization or organizations that have the ability and capacity for day one readiness for a digital navigator program focused on statewide access and utilization of telehealth.
- Device Recycling: Up to $2,050,000 subgranted to a single organization or organizations that have the ability and capacity to provide device recycling as a workforce-training program and then distribute the refurbished devices statewide at a low cost, thereby increasing access to technology.
- Digital Education Learning and Literacy: Up to $4,360,000 subgranted to a single organization or organizations that will provide statewide certification and apprenticeship programs, or other similar programs, to prepare a digital workforce ready to support the development of broadband-related infrastructure and adoption.
As of April 22nd, 2025, The Digital Opportunity Department has released the official Notice of Funding Opportunity, along with grant application materials. The grant application will open on May 1, 2025, and close on May 16, 2025. In addition to the requirements set forth in the NOFO, eligible applicants must be experienced entities able to implement work statewide with Day 1 program launch readiness. Organizations that want to participate in programs but are not eligible or positioned to apply for the grant will be able to submit information as Interested Parties for partnership opportunities. Grant application documents are subject to change prior to application open period. All information is available through the SC ORS DOD website.
