What does this program do?
The Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal entities
- State or local governments, including agencies and subdivisions, among others
- Territories or possessions of the United States
- Institutions of higher education (including 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status
- Cooperatives or mutual organizations
- Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships
What is an eligible area?
For a project to be eligible to receive federal funds from the BTA program, it must promote broadband expansion into a rural community.
What is a rural area?
- For the purposes of BTA, a rural area is defined as “any area not located in a city, town, or incorporated area with a population greater than 20,000, or an urbanized area next to a city, town or incorporated area with a population greater than 50,000 people.” Certain other exclusions apply.
- Eligible areas must be completely contained within a rural area or composed of multiple rural areas. You will find a mapping tool with additional eligibility information at this link: Map
How do we apply?
Applications must be submitted electronically through https://www.grants.gov/.
Is there a matching requirement?
BTA does not have a cost share or matching requirement.
Who can answer questions about this program?
- For questions related to the BTA program, please use the Contact Us Form and select "Broadband Technical Assistance" as the subject.
Where do the funds come from?
The Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect) is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 1981(b)(4), 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., and 7 U.S.C. 950cc and provided funding for broadband technical assistance. The current funding opportunity will use technical assistance funds appropriated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58).
Where can we learn about past BTA award recipients?
Fiscal Year 2023 BTA award recipients and project information.
FY2024 Resources
- Application Guide
- BTA Frequently Asked Questions
- BTA Map
- Sample BTA Worksheets
- Sample Budget Worksheet
- Communities Worksheet User Guide
- SAIPE Poverty Data
- Distressed Communities List
- BTA Application Checklist
- FY2024 BTA NOFO Overview Webinar Recording
- FY2024 BTA NOFO Overview Webinar Material
- FY 2024 Preparing to Apply Webinar Material
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF424) Please first download the SF424 Form, then open the form in Adobe.
- Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF424B) Please first download the SF424B Form, then open the form in Adobe.
- FY 2024 Broadband Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Previous Year Award Summaries
FY 2023 Resources
- BTA Application Guide
- BTA Fact Sheet
- FY 2023 Federal Register Notice
- FY 2023: Broadband Technical Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar Recording
- FY 2023: Broadband Technical Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar
- FY 2023: Broadband Technical Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar for Tribes and Tribal Entities Recording
- FY 2023: Broadband Technical Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar for Tribes and Tribal Entities
- Broadband Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement
- BTA Map
To submit questions to RUS staff regarding the BTA, please complete the form available at www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us.
Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Ask me Anything (AMA) Webinar | Tuesday, August 13, 2024 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET | Registration