The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is preparing a new Notice of Funding Opportunity for a competitive grant program, with applications expected to open in December. This follows a legal challenge that led to the elimination of the "racial or ethnic minority group" category from the program's definition of "covered populations." However, other categories remain, including low-income households, individuals 60 and older, veterans, people with disabilities, those facing language barriers, and rural residents.

Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the NDIA, stated that it's too early to determine if her organization will apply for a grant, pending review of the NTIA's forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity. She noted that the NDIA's previous successful grant proposal under the Biden administration was "carefully crafted" to serve a broad demographic across rural, urban, and tribal communities.

Siefer also advocated for the reinstatement of state grants, which were not part of the lawsuit but are crucial for implementing existing plans. The Digital Equity Act was passed concurrently with the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. While the Trump administration did not eliminate BEAD, it altered the program by delaying grants, reducing broadband deployment funding, and relaxing requirements for internet providers regarding pricing and net neutrality, notably assisting Starlink.