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Program Overview
The California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) is a subgrant program that will provide funding to statewide, regional and local entities to conduct activities to support implementation of the State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP). CalDEP subgrants must align with and work towards achievement of the goals and measurable objectives of the SDEP. CalDEP aims to address digital equity barriers in the SDEP and support digital inclusion and outcomes related to education, healthcare, career development, and access to essential government benefit programs.
CalDEP is funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the California Department of Technology’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Please note that CDT will only accept applications submitted through the CalDEP Application Portal.
Eligible Applicants
All CalDEP subgrantees must be located and operate in the State of California, have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI) number assigned by SAM.gov and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. Eligible Entity categories are as follows:
- A local political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the State of California.
- An Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization.
- A foundation, corporation, institution, or association that is:
- a not-for-profit entity; and
- not a school.
- A community anchor institution.
- A local educational agency.
- An entity that carries out a workforce development program.
- A partnership between any of the entities listed above.
- A Regional Broadband Consortia (as long as they or their fiscal agents belong to an Eligible Entity category as listed above and have an active UEI).
Funding Tracks and Description
Funding for CalDEP awards is contingent upon CDT’s full access to State Digital Equity Capacity Grant funds from NTIA.
| Funding Track | Program Description |
| Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems (Planning and Capacity) | Subgrants to (1) develop and refine regional and local digital equity plans, and (2) provide capacity to implement digital equity activities directly or through second-tier subgrants to local Eligible Entities. |
| Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems | Subgrants to support ecosystem development, planning, and innovation for a specific State Outcome Area or Covered Population which may be served more effectively in statewide, rather than regional or local, ecosystems. |
Technical Assistance Resources
The California Department of Technology (CDT) has developed Technical Assistance resources to support organizations in preparing and submitting applications for CalDEP. These resources are designed to ensure an open, transparent, and equitable application process, helping Eligible Entities navigate the funding opportunities effectively.
Get Ready Resources
Here are some tips on how to prepare for the funding opportunity.
| Get Organized | Identify Partners and Build Coalitions | Research and Assessment |
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Additional Resources
- State Digital Equity Plan
- California Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Program Draft Guidelines (For Public Comment between 9/30/24 through 10/29/24)
Contact
For questions related to California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP), please send an email to CalDEP@state.ca.gov.