Funding Programs

The N.C. Department of Information Technology administers grant and funding programs that further the deployment of broadband infrastructure, digital equity and inclusion planning and digital literacy across North Carolina. 

Federally Funded Programs

Gov. Roy Cooper's plan to close the digital divide in North Carolina invests more than $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to achieve digital equity in North Carolina by addressing infrastructure, access and digital literacy. This funding will also leverage significant private sector investment. S.L. 2021-180 provides $940 million in ARPA funding to deploy crucial last-mile broadband infrastructure to serve remaining unserved and underserved areas in North Carolina through the GREAT Grant Program, the CAB Program, the Stop Gap Program and the Pole Replacement Program. An additional $50 million is committed for a digital literacy awareness campaign and digital literacy offerings around the state. 

GREAT Grant (Funded by Federal American Rescue Plan Act)
Provides federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to broadband service providers to deploy broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of eligible economically distressed counties

Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program
Creates a partnership between each participating county and NCDIT for a competitive bidding process to build infrastructure and provide service to unserved areas

Pole Replacement Program
Provides funds to broadband service providers for eligible pole replacement costs in unserved areas

Broadband Stop Gap Solutions Program
Provides funding for solutions for households unserved or underserved with broadband following investment from the GREAT Grant Program and the CAB Program

Digital Equity Grant Program
Creates transformational change by helping North Carolinians afford high-speed internet, obtain digital devices and get access to digital literacy courses so they can safely and effectively participate in today’s digital economy

State Fiscal Recovery Funds
Provided funding to eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts 

Capital Project Funds
Provides funding to eligible state, territories, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts

Other Resources

State-Funded Grants

Federal Grant Opportunities

Nonprofit and Foundation Grant Opportunities