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Overview
In November 2021, the President signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. Among many other provisions, the law established the Broadband Equity, Adoption, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. BEAD dedicates more than $42 billion to constructing broadband networks for unserved and underserved households. This includes funding for mapping to identify those households, subsidizing the cost of Internet service for lower-income households, and providing end users with the devices and training they need for the new and upgraded networks.
New Jersey will receive over $263 million from the BEAD program. With nearly 99% of New Jersey residents already having access to broadband, the state will have a projected $100 million surplus after closing these last few gaps. This money is required to be spent on eligible non-deployment (or non-infrastructural) programs. These include programs such as training and workforce development, remote learning or telehealth services, digital literacy and upskilling programs, and more.
This site provides you and your organization with the information and tools you need to apply for some of the available BEAD funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once a state can demonstrate it has a plan for bringing affordable, high-speed broadband service to all unserved and underserved locations within its jurisdiction, that state may also allocate funding to non-deployment activities. Eligible non-deployment uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Training and workforce development;
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User training with respect to cybersecurity, privacy, and other digital safety matters;
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Remote learning or telehealth services/facilities;
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Digital literacy/upskilling (from beginner-level to advanced);
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Computer science, coding, and cybersecurity education programs;
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Supplementation of previously approved plans for Digital Equity Act grant funding;
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Broadband sign-up assistance and programs that provide technology support;
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Multilingual outreach to support adoption and digital literacy;
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Prisoner education to promote pre-release digital literacy, job skills, online job-acquisition skills, etc.;
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Digital navigators;
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Direct subsidies for use toward broadband subscriptions, where the Eligible Entity shows the subsidies will improve affordability for the end user population (and to supplement, but not to duplicate or supplant, the subsidies provided by ACP);
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Costs associated with stakeholder engagement, including travel, capacity-building, or contract support.
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TBD
While there are no exact parameters yet for the size of the grants, we expect grants ranging in size from $500,000 to $5 million.
There are a few ways to give your organization a better chance of receiving some of New Jersey’s BEAD funding.
The easiest is public advocacy. This involves calling on the governor and other state elected officials to responsibly allocate these funds to the organizations that can best use them. If you are interested in publicly advocating for BEAD dollars to reach community nonprofits, you can find a social media toolkit and a sign-on letter under the Get Involved tab.
Another way to give your organization the best chance of receiving this funding is by forming a coalition. Elected officials want this money to go to organizations that can use it effectively. Given the amount of money available, it is likely that it will be dispersed in large chunks. If you are a small to medium-sized organization, forming a coalition with peer organizations will show the state that you have the combined resources, expertise, manpower, and programs to effectively utilize this funding.
Meet the Partners
National Skills Coalition
NSC is a national organization fighting for inclusive, high-quality skills training so that people have access to a better life, and local businesses see sustained growth. We engage in analysis and technical assistance, organizing, advocacy, and communications to improve state and federal skills policies.
NJ Center for Nonprofits
NJ Center for Nonprofits’ Mission is to build the power of New Jersey’s nonprofit community to improve the quality of life for all people of our state. We envision a New Jersey nonprofit community that is strong, vibrant, valued, and effective in advancing a civically engaged society and equitable in delivering a thriving quality of life to all communities throughout the state of New Jersey.
New Jersey Library Association
Established in 1890, the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) is the oldest and largest library organization in New Jersey. It advocates for library services for New Jersey residents, provides education and networking opportunities for library staff, and supports intellectual freedom and access to books, music, movies, and information. Our office in Bordentown, NJ, serves over 3,000 members.
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