Minority Broadband Initiative

Promoting HBCU competitiveness for USDA broadband funding

September 1 through 17, 2020,  NTIA’s Minority Broadband Initiative and USDA’s Rural Utilities Service developed and conducted a 6-part technical assistance webinar series to promote HBCU competitiveness for USDA broadband funding for the Distance Learning & Telemedicine, Community Connect, and Reconnect programs.

The webinars provided valuable guidance on the grants application process, narrative preparation, and what to include in the applicant’s budget/financials statement. There was also a session on the USDA mapping tool that applicants must use and one on examples of success stories. 

Please see the following links for the September USDA/NTIA HBCU Technical Assistance Webinar series.  All links are 508 compliant with captioning and can be posted to your websites.   

• September 1, 2020                Introduction to USDA Telecommunication Programs
• September 3, 2020                Community Connect

• September 8, 2020                ReConnect Program Overview
• September 10, 2020              Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program Overview
• September 15, 2020              Telecom Program Mapping Tools
• September 17, 2020              Success Stories and Lessons Learned