The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is pleased to announce the Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant, an initiative designed to bridge the digital divide.
Donor Name: Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
State: New Mexico
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/21/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award more than $7 million dollars to eligible New Mexico entities through the Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant.
The NOFO will make funds available to support sub grantees in enhancing their digital equity programs tailored for populations that are particularly vulnerable to digital exclusion. Eligible programs must support the implementation of New Mexico’s Digital Equity Plan and assist the state in achieving its measurable objectives. Sub grantees are required to engage individuals from one or more of the eight covered populations identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
Covered Populations
- Low-income households
- Aging populations
- Incarcerated individuals
- Veterans
- People with disabilities
- People with language barriers
- Racial and ethnic minorities
- Rural inhabitants.
Areas of Impact
- Economic and Workforce Development
- Education
- Health
- Civic and Social Engagement
- Delivery of Other Essential Services.
Funding Information
The PINON Grant will offer monetary awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 to support sub grantees in enhancing their digital equity programs tailored for populations that are particularly vulnerable to digital exclusion.
Grant Period
The preferred period of performance is up to 3 years.
Eligible Project and Activity Types
- Proposed programs, projects, and activities will support the State’s efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband among the Covered Populations. Eligible programs must support the implementation of New Mexico’s Digital Equity Plan and assist the state in achieving its measurable objectives. Eligible activities under the PINON Grant Program include:
- digital skills activities
- digital navigator activities
- device distribution activities
- technical support
- capacity-building
- Up to ten (10) percent of the amount of the sub grant may be used to support affordable access. However, as directed by NTIA, any affordable access program must provide digital literacy and skills training to empower program participants on how to use digital resources effectively.
Eligibility Criteria
OBAE, as the administering entity of the Capacity Grant Program, may make sub grants to any entity of the Infrastructure Act. As such, Eligible Entities that can apply for the PINON Grant Program include the following:
- Municipal, county, and regional governments
- Tribal governments and Tribal-led entities
- Community-based organizations, non-profits, and foundations
- Schools are ineligible to apply
- Higher education institutions
- State agencies and institutions.
For more information, visit OBAE.
