The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is seeking applications for its Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation.
Donor Name: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/02/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000,000 to $50,000,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
Pursuant to the FY21 NDAA, the Innovation Fund aims to facilitate the adoption of open and interoperable wireless networks by:
- Accelerating commercial deployment of open, interoperable equipment;
- Promoting and deploying compatibility of new 5G equipment;
- Managing integration of multi-vendor network environments;
- Identifying criteria to define equipment as compliant with open standards; and
- Promoting and deploying security features and network function virtualization for multivendor, interoperable networks.
The first NOFO focuses on activities that will promote and improve the open and interoperable RAN testing and evaluation ecosystem, as well as research and development into test methods, and is responsive to feedback NTIA received during listening sessions and the Request for Comment period. These activities are foundational to the ultimate success of open and interoperable wireless networks and will help build confidence in the viability of Open RAN solutions and remove barriers to adoption. NTIA will support two specific research focus areas under this first NOFO:
- Expanding industry-accepted testing and evaluation (T&E) activities to assess and facilitate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of open and interoperable, standards-based 5G radio access networks; and
- Developing new and/or improved testing methodologies to test, evaluate, and validate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of networks, including their component parts.
The Innovation Fund aims to foster competition, lower costs for consumers and network operators, support innovation across the global telecommunications ecosystem, and strengthen the 5G supply chain. The overall objectives include unlocking opportunities for innovative companies, particularly small and medium enterprises, to compete in a market historically dominated by a few suppliers, some of which present a high security risk.
Funding Information
- T&E Activities: $10,000,000 to $50,000,000
- Testing Methods R&D: $250,000 to $2,000,000
Period of Performance
The period of performance (POP) for grants awarded under this NOFO may be up to five (5) years in duration.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants and subgrantees include for-profit companies, non-profit companies, institutions of higher education, industry groups, and consortia including two or more such entities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
