Grant Writing, Engineering, and Planning Grant
(GWEP Grant)
What is the Grant Writing, Engineering, and Planning (GWEP) Grant?
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award financial assistance grants to aid Tribal governments and local governmental units in procuring grant writing, engineering, and/or planning assistance to help identify community broadband needs and to support applying for other funding sources for broadband-related projects.
The first round of awards for the Grant Writing, Engineering & Planning Program (GWEP) was announced on 06/28/24. Additional rounds have been announced since.
Applications are still open for submission.
Who may apply:
The GWEP program and funds expire June 30, 2026.
How to apply:
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award financial assistance grants to aid Tribal governments and local governmental units in procuring grant writing, engineering, and/or planning assistance to help identify community broadband needs and to support applying for other funding sources for broadband-related projects.
The first round of awards for the Grant Writing, Engineering & Planning Program (GWEP) was announced on 06/28/24. Additional rounds have been announced since.
Applications are still open for submission.
Who may apply:
- Tribal governments
- Local governmental units
- Electric Cooperatives and Telephone Cooperatives
- Maximum grant award is $100,000
- Grant funds are limited; application will remain open until all funds are obligated.
- Matching funds are not required.
The GWEP program and funds expire June 30, 2026.
How to apply:
- We have created an application portal through Submittable . Use the button below to apply.
The GWEP Application Submission is still OPEN
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Congratulations to the GWEP Award Recipients
GWEP Award Recipients:
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Round 1 Awards
Round 2 Awards
Round 3 Awards
Round 5 Awards
Round 6 Awards
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NOFO and Resources
There is not a formal NOFO but the grant application is accessible online.
The GWEP Application Submission is still OPEN
The GWEP program and funds expire June 30, 2026. GWEP funding will be released based on submission of reimbursement, and recipients will need to submit receipts plus follow Request for Reimbursement procedures.
The GWEP Application Submission is still OPEN
The GWEP program and funds expire June 30, 2026. GWEP funding will be released based on submission of reimbursement, and recipients will need to submit receipts plus follow Request for Reimbursement procedures.
Templates & Scoring Guide
Webinars
8/20/2024 Tribal GWEP Awardees Webinar
- TRIBAL GWEP Kickoff Packet
- Tribal GWEP One-Pager
- Tribal GWEP Key Items to Remember for GWEP
- Tribal GWEP Slide Deck
Office Hours
Come back for updates on Office Hours.
Reporting
Reporting is due on a quarterly basis.
Activity Reports are due on a quarterly basis, 30 days after the quarter has completed, except for July because DFA needs all year-end funding reports early, from state agencies, by estimated date of July 15th. For OBAE to meet that deadline, the Q4 is due July 11th. Closeout Reports are due 90 days after a project’s completion or September 28, 2025 (90 days after June 30) – whichever comes first. Please note that once you spend down the full amount of your award, that is technically when your award ends and we will modify your quarterly and final reporting dates based on your spend-down.
Requests for Payment cannot include supporting documentation (i.e., invoice, proof of payment, etc.) that is dated earlier than the date listed on your Purchase Order. OBAE cannot reimburse any activities that occur after June 30, 2026, per legislation. Please spend all of the money awarded to you, as money will not be carried over into FY27 (July 1, 2026), per legislation.
GWEP Quarterly Progress Report Template
Download and complete the Quarterly Progress Report Template below.
Activity Reports are due on a quarterly basis, 30 days after the quarter has completed, except for July because DFA needs all year-end funding reports early, from state agencies, by estimated date of July 15th. For OBAE to meet that deadline, the Q4 is due July 11th. Closeout Reports are due 90 days after a project’s completion or September 28, 2025 (90 days after June 30) – whichever comes first. Please note that once you spend down the full amount of your award, that is technically when your award ends and we will modify your quarterly and final reporting dates based on your spend-down.
- Q1: July 1 – Sept. 30 Report Due October 30, 2024
- Q2: Oct. 1 – Dec.31 Report Due Jan 30, 2025
- Q3: Jan 1 – March 31 Report Due April 30, 2025
- Q4: April 1 – June 30 Report Due July 11, 2025
- Closeout Report Due 90 days after a project’s completion or September 28, 2025/2026.
Requests for Payment cannot include supporting documentation (i.e., invoice, proof of payment, etc.) that is dated earlier than the date listed on your Purchase Order. OBAE cannot reimburse any activities that occur after June 30, 2026, per legislation. Please spend all of the money awarded to you, as money will not be carried over into FY27 (July 1, 2026), per legislation.
GWEP Quarterly Progress Report Template
Download and complete the Quarterly Progress Report Template below.
Announcements
11/18/2024 GWEP Award Recipients Can Apply for Second Grant!
There’s good news for awardees that have received state funding under the Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning (GWEP) program--the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced any past recipients may apply for another grant. The decision comes as state funding remains available to help entities work toward deploying broadband in New Mexico communities.
“This is a great opportunity for entities that are receiving grants to get even more funds to help build high-speed internet in their communities,” said OBAE Project manager Eric Rodgers. "We encourage all to apply for these dollars."
OBAE continues to urge Tribal governments, local governments, rural telephone cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to submit for assistance grants.
Again, you can get a second grant!
Right now, there’s $2.9 million that’s still available. These are assistance grants, so entities do not compete for this state funding. Internet Service Providers are not eligible to apply for these GWEP dollars.
The GWEP program grants will be used by awardees for such things as grant writing, engineering and planning. These grants can also be used to attain other grants, like the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Awardees will use the funds to help provide broadband infrastructure, planning services and broadband engineering/design projects.
So far OBAE has approved 21 awards totaling $2.1 million out of $5 million available.
To submit for a grant, CLICK HERE.
For more information about GWEP, CLICK HERE.
If you have any questions about GWEP awards, please contact Eric Rodgers, OBAE Project Manager at [email protected]
There’s good news for awardees that have received state funding under the Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning (GWEP) program--the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced any past recipients may apply for another grant. The decision comes as state funding remains available to help entities work toward deploying broadband in New Mexico communities.
“This is a great opportunity for entities that are receiving grants to get even more funds to help build high-speed internet in their communities,” said OBAE Project manager Eric Rodgers. "We encourage all to apply for these dollars."
OBAE continues to urge Tribal governments, local governments, rural telephone cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to submit for assistance grants.
Again, you can get a second grant!
Right now, there’s $2.9 million that’s still available. These are assistance grants, so entities do not compete for this state funding. Internet Service Providers are not eligible to apply for these GWEP dollars.
The GWEP program grants will be used by awardees for such things as grant writing, engineering and planning. These grants can also be used to attain other grants, like the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Awardees will use the funds to help provide broadband infrastructure, planning services and broadband engineering/design projects.
So far OBAE has approved 21 awards totaling $2.1 million out of $5 million available.
To submit for a grant, CLICK HERE.
For more information about GWEP, CLICK HERE.
If you have any questions about GWEP awards, please contact Eric Rodgers, OBAE Project Manager at [email protected]
9/25/2024 Round 3 GWEP Awards Announced
Congratulations to the Round 3 GWEP Award Recipients:
Pueblo de Cochiti, Rio Arriba County, Sandoval County, Pueblo of Tesuque, and City of Espanola
Congratulations to the Round 3 GWEP Award Recipients:
Pueblo de Cochiti, Rio Arriba County, Sandoval County, Pueblo of Tesuque, and City of Espanola
09/10/2024 GWEP Quarterly Report Template Released
GWEP Award Recipients can now find the Quarterly Report Template online!
Visit the GWEP Reporting section of https://connect.nm.gov/gwep
Visit the GWEP Reporting section of https://connect.nm.gov/gwep
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07/30/24 Grant Writing, Engineering, & Planning (GWEP) Round 2 Awards Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the second round of awards for the Grant Writing, Engineering, & Planning (GWEP) Program . Applications are still open for submission. Congratulations to all the Round 2 Awardees! |
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06/28/24 Grant Writing, Engineering, & Planning (GWEP) Round 1 Awards Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the first round of awards for the Grant Writing, Engineering, & Planning (GWEP) Program . Applications are still open for submission. Congratulations to all the Round 1 Awardees! |
