Digital opportunities are essential for civic participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to vital services. As affordable broadband access becomes more widely available through state and federal programs, enhancing digital literacy and skills will be critical to ensuring Kansans can fully leverage this connectivity.
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) has received an $8.2 million-year 1 grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to foster progress across key sectors. This funding will support workforce development, economic growth, and agricultural productivity while also improving access to online education, expanding telemedicine services, and enabling small businesses to compete globally. By advancing the digital economy, the grant will continue to create opportunities across Kansas.
“It’s not enough to expand high-speed internet across Kansas – we must also show Kansans of all ages and backgrounds how to make the internet a useful tool in their everyday lives. These funds will provide the devices and skills training to help every Kansan benefit from our investments to make high-speed internet available in their local communities.”
Gobernadora Laura Kelly
Información sobre el programa
Developing Online Opportunities and Ready Skills (DOORS)
If you are interested in applying for these funds, please review the guidelines in full.
Tentative Grant Timeline
The application window will be open for sixty (60) days. Applicant interviews for selected applications will follow public comment and applicant response windows, which will be followed by Kansas Department of Commerce leadership grant selection and award announcements. Tentative program timelines are provided below for reference.
KOBD reserves the right to request additional information regarding applications throughout the application process review period.
Candidatos admisibles
Eligible may applicants include:
Note: Eligible nonprofit organizations must have their own 501 C (3) tax status (or be a part of or chapter of a national organization that is a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization).
Definiciones clave
Esfuerzos de adopción
Adoption goes beyond access to high-speed internet and speaks to the ability of individuals and communities to harness access for quality-of-life implications. These efforts may include digital literacy training, low-income assistance programs (for equipment and/or broadband service), partnerships with co-working or entrepreneurship organizations, awareness or marketing campaigns, service provision to community anchor institutions and/or additional programing, along with other programs designed to meet the needs of the local community.
Coincidencia de candidatos
At the time of application submission, the applicant must demonstrate available cash reserves in an account(s) of the applicant equal to at least the required amount specified in the sliding scale match table. Matching funds must be used solely for the Project and shall not include any financial assistance from federal sources unless there is a federal statutory exception specifically authorizing the federal financial assistance to be considered as such. An applicant must provide evidence of its ability to comply with this requirement in its application (www.ecfr.gov).
Banda ancha
Broadband (or high-speed internet) access allows users to access the internet and internet-related services at significantly higher speeds than those available through “dial-up” services. Broadband speeds vary significantly depending on the technology and level of service ordered. For additional information, visit the source of this information: Getting Broadband Q&A | Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (fcc.gov).
Presupuesto y requisitos financieros
Includes an explanation of costs that correspond with the information included in the project budget spreadsheet. The information should also explain the necessity and basis for costs and reflects only allowable costs consistent with project scope. Content must include the last year of organizations tax returns and / or 990s.
Coinversión
Cualquier fondo proporcionado por fuentes distintas del solicitante, como programas locales, del condado y estatales subvencionables u otros contribuyentes.
Institución comunitaria de referencia
Institución comunitaria de anclaje: escuelas, bibliotecas, proveedores de servicios médicos y sanitarios, entidades de seguridad pública, colegios comunitarios y otras instituciones de enseñanza superior, así como otras organizaciones y agencias de apoyo comunitario que prestan servicios de divulgación, acceso, equipamiento y apoyo para facilitar un mayor uso del servicio de banda ancha por parte de las poblaciones vulnerables, como las de bajos ingresos, desempleados y ancianos (www.usac.org).
Apoyo comunitario (narrativo)
Community partners associated with the project planning, promotion, adoption – description of each party’s commitment and role in the project. Include any involvement by Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) including municipalities, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, libraries, public safety, businesses, non-profits, and or other community stakeholders.
Información
To report suspected fraud, waste or abuse contact the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations.
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