The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced a major push to streamline tribal broadband programs, aiming to cut red tape and speed project implementation. The agency said a spring 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will allocate about $500 million in remaining tribal broadband funds.
NTIA’s plan emphasizes a strategic realignment of tribal grant programs to reduce administrative burdens, prevent duplication, and standardize procedures across NTIA’s broadband initiatives. Officials stressed that existing obligations will not be rescinded as part of the reforms.
In terms of results, NTIA highlighted its impact to date: more than $2.2 billion in Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) funding has been awarded, covering 226 projects across over 400 tribal nations. A second TBCP NOFO has awarded roughly $360 million in funds across 48 projects.
The move comes amid ongoing legal actions surrounding the Digital Equity Act, which remains the subject of litigation. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has sued to reinstate the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program, arguing it was improperly cancelled; the act was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021.
NTIA’s leadership frames the goal as maximizing impact: stretching every dollar to advance universal tribal connectivity, while reducing administrative duplication and ensuring consistency across the agency’s broadband efforts.
Looking ahead, NTIA said it will open a formal avenue for tribal governments to provide input on the next funding round, signaling a collaborative approach to shaping future grants and program administration.
