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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant (E-rate Special Construction State Match)
Fund Code: 163

Purpose:To assist public school districts in improving student instruction and assessment using technology through increased broadband access.
Priorities: Priority shall be given to applications for grants that:
  • Maximize broadband access;
  • Provide student access to individualized and rigorous digital learning experiences;
  • Ensure educators have the knowledge and skills to develop and implement digital learning curricula; and
  • Maximize taxpayer value and technology preparedness.
Eligibility: The following districts that filed a Funding Year 2017 Form 471 for E-rate special construction funding by May 11, 2017 are eligible:
  • Dracut Public Schools (up to $13,194)
  • Dighton-Rehoboth Public Schools (up to $39,661)
  • Peabody Public Schools (up to $43,262)
  • Dedham Public Schools (up to $17,281)
Funding Type:State
Funding: A total of approximately $113,398 is available to fund a total of 10% of the eligible special construction charges requested on the district's Funding Year 2017 Form 471. The final award will be based on the amount ultimately approved by USAC and will be awarded to the district in state fiscal year 2018 following issuance of a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) by USAC and submission of a DCPSG grant application to ESE.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Fund Use:The allocation can be used only for the project(s) and purpose(s) specified in the Form 471 and is subject to FCC matching grant and final approval by ESE, based upon project specifics. Funds cannot be used to connect school buildings to broadband that are scheduled for decommissioning or razing within 10 years from the completion of the project. Projects may occur only on and within publicly-owned real property maintained for the benefit of the district.

Project Duration:Upon Award - 6/30/2018
Program Unit:Office of Digital Learning
Contacts: Kenneth Klau
Phone Number:781-338-3505
Date Due:Friday, November 10, 2017

Proposals must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Required Forms:
Download Word Document
Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
View External Link
Online application
Submission Instructions: Submit online application

and

Submit Part I Signature Page and Budget required grant materials through EdGrants

In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:
FY18 163 Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant (Applicant Name)

The Part I (a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature) should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Both the online application and EdGrants submission need to be completed.
Additional Information:
View External Link
Fiber - Summary Overview (USAC)
Download Excel Document
Scorecard