Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans
PINON Grant
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award more than $7 million dollars to eligible New Mexico entities through the Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant.
Grant at-a-glance
OBAE’s Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant:
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is pleased to announce the Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant, an initiative designed to bridge the digital divide.
The PINON Grant will offer monetary awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 to support subgrantees in enhancing their digital equity programs tailored for populations that are particularly vulnerable to digital exclusion.
Eligible programs must support the implementation of New Mexico’s Digital Equity Plan and assist the state in achieving its measurable objectives.
Subgrantees are required to engage individuals from one or more of the eight covered populations identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 - households with incomes below 150% of the poverty level, seniors, incarcerated individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, those facing language barriers, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and residents of rural areas.
Eligible activities under this grant may include digital skills activities, digital navigator activities, device distribution activities, technical support, and capacity-building.
Furthermore, eligible programs and activities must address one or more of the following impact areas, key barriers, and measurable objectives.
NTIA Outcomes/ Areas of Impact:
New Mexico Digital Equity Plan Measurable Objectives 5 through 9:
Organizations located and working in the state of New Mexico are eligible to apply including:
Awards - What kind of funding is available?
Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.
OBAE plans to award more than $7.3 million through the Pinon Grant.
Timeframe - What is the Period of Performance?
Designated awardees must enter into a Grant Agreement with OBAE to receive funding; awardees will have 1 to 3 years to complete programming and expend grant funding.
Anticipated Timeline:
OBAE Contact:
Neala Krueger, OBAE Digital Equity Coordinator
[email protected]
505-538-0929
Grant at-a-glance
OBAE’s Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant:
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is pleased to announce the Promoting Internet Needs of New Mexicans (PINON) Grant, an initiative designed to bridge the digital divide.
The PINON Grant will offer monetary awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 to support subgrantees in enhancing their digital equity programs tailored for populations that are particularly vulnerable to digital exclusion.
Eligible programs must support the implementation of New Mexico’s Digital Equity Plan and assist the state in achieving its measurable objectives.
Subgrantees are required to engage individuals from one or more of the eight covered populations identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 - households with incomes below 150% of the poverty level, seniors, incarcerated individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, those facing language barriers, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and residents of rural areas.
Eligible activities under this grant may include digital skills activities, digital navigator activities, device distribution activities, technical support, and capacity-building.
Furthermore, eligible programs and activities must address one or more of the following impact areas, key barriers, and measurable objectives.
NTIA Outcomes/ Areas of Impact:
- Economic and Workforce Development
- Education
- Health
- Civic and Social Engagement
- Delivery of Other Essential Services
- Online Accessibility and Inclusivity
- Digital Literacy
- Online Privacy and Cybersecurity
- Device Availability and Affordability
New Mexico Digital Equity Plan Measurable Objectives 5 through 9:
- Increase the number of New Mexicans, including members of covered populations, who have access to a workable computing device and technical support.
- Increase the number of New Mexicans, including members of covered populations, who can use the internet if they so choose.
- Increase the number of New Mexicans, including members of covered populations, who can access information or training to learn how to protect their security and privacy online.
- Increase the number of New Mexicans, including members of covered populations, who can access government and essential services online.
- Increase the number of Tribal and local communities and organizations that have the resources and expertise to support and implement digital equity effort.
Organizations located and working in the state of New Mexico are eligible to apply including:
- Municipal, county, and regional governments
- Tribal governments and Tribal-led entities
- Community-based organizations, non-profits, and foundations
- Higher education institutions
- State agencies and institutions
Awards - What kind of funding is available?
Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.
OBAE plans to award more than $7.3 million through the Pinon Grant.
Timeframe - What is the Period of Performance?
Designated awardees must enter into a Grant Agreement with OBAE to receive funding; awardees will have 1 to 3 years to complete programming and expend grant funding.
Anticipated Timeline:
- NOFO Released : Monday, January 13, 2025
- Grant Portal Opens: Monday, January 27, 2025
- Application Due Date: Friday, March 21, 2025, by 12 noon.
- Award Announcements: Initial announcements anticipated in June and July 2025
- OBAE must submit selected projects to NTIA by August 31, 2025, and projects are subject to NTIA final approval.
OBAE Contact:
Neala Krueger, OBAE Digital Equity Coordinator
[email protected]
505-538-0929
PINON Grant NOFO
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) formally establishes the funding availability for the OBAE Pinon Grant. The NOFO will set forth the purpose, eligible organizations, program activities, allowable expenditures, performance requirements, reporting requirements, evaluation criteria, and post-award compliance requirements.
Download the PINON Grant NOFO v1.2
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) formally establishes the funding availability for the OBAE Pinon Grant. The NOFO will set forth the purpose, eligible organizations, program activities, allowable expenditures, performance requirements, reporting requirements, evaluation criteria, and post-award compliance requirements.
Download the PINON Grant NOFO v1.2
PINON GRANT Application & Templates
The PINON Grant application is due March 21, 2025, by 12noon
The application comprises of several questions and information requests. The application must be fully completed. Otherwise, the application will be determined incomplete and will not be accepted for review and consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Click here to download the:
Organizations must use this budget template when preparing your application. Click below to download the:
Submit your questions about this program and application here: [email protected]
Application Submission:
All applications must be submitted through the online portal below:
The application comprises of several questions and information requests. The application must be fully completed. Otherwise, the application will be determined incomplete and will not be accepted for review and consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Click here to download the:
- 2025 PINON Grant Application Questions
- 2025 PINON Grant Scoring Criteria
- 2025 PINON Grant Submittable Applicant Guide
Organizations must use this budget template when preparing your application. Click below to download the:
- 2025 PINON Grant Subgrantee Consolidated Budget Sheet v1.2 (protected)
- 2025 PINON Grant Subgrantee Consolidated Budget Sheet v1.2 (unprotected)
Submit your questions about this program and application here: [email protected]
Application Submission:
All applications must be submitted through the online portal below:
PINON Grant Key Definitions
Key Definitions:
- Digital Equity: The term “digital equity” means the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States.
- Digital Inclusion: The term “digital inclusion” means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as--
- Reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service;
- Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and
- Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.
- This includes:
- Obtaining access to digital literacy training:
- The provision of quality technical support; and
- Obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.
- Digital Literacy: The term “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.
- Covered Populations: The term “Covered Populations” means:
- Individuals who live in covered households;
- Aging individuals;
- Incarcerated individuals (as defined by the State or Territory), other than individuals who are incarcerated in a federal correctional facility;
- Veterans;
- Individuals with disabilities;
- Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group;
- Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area; and
- Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners and/or have low levels of literacy.
- Aging Individual: The term “aging individual” means an individual who is 60 years of age or older.
- Community Anchor Institution: The term “community anchor institution” means a public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State or Territory library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.
- Covered Household: The term “covered household” means a household in which the income for the most recently completed year is not more than 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level, as determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.
- Individuals with disabilities: The term “disability” means, with respect to an individual, (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment.
- A local educational agency: Generally, a local educational agency means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a state for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or for a combination of school districts or counties as are recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools.
- Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area: The term “rural area” means any area other than (a) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; (b) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (c) in the case of a grant, a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.
- Veterans: The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
PINON Grant Webinars & Office Hours
Preliminary Meeting:
Digital Equity Working Group Meeting 12/12/2024
Download the PINON Grant presentation slide deck
View NTIA Specific Projects Resource Form
Grant Orientation Webinar: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM Mountain Time
Register in advance for this webinar at: register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the meeting.
Download the slide deck from the PINON Grant webinar 2-5-2025
Listen to the PINON Orientation webinar below:
Digital Equity Working Group Meeting 12/12/2024
Download the PINON Grant presentation slide deck
View NTIA Specific Projects Resource Form
Grant Orientation Webinar: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM Mountain Time
Register in advance for this webinar at: register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the meeting.
Download the slide deck from the PINON Grant webinar 2-5-2025
Listen to the PINON Orientation webinar below:
PINON Grant FAQ
PINON Grant FAQ:
- Is there a matching requirement for this grant?
No, there is no matching requirement. - Can organizations submit multiple applications for different needs within the same program?
OBAE does not recommend that a single organization apply for multiple grants. Your organization’s application should include all proposed activities under your program.
An exception is when an organization is a Fiscal Agent to distinct entities. The fiscal agent can apply on behalf of each unique organization, with the understanding that this is a competitive grant process. - Can organizations apply as a consortium or partnership?
Yes, partnerships are allowed with one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for administering the grant funding, ensuring compliance with all federal and other applicable regulations governing the funding, and completing all reporting requirements.
The lead applicant is the primary point of contact for OBAE and will be the entity that executes the contract/grant agreement with OBAE outlining the terms and conditions of the grant.
All funding disbursements from OBAE will go to the lead applicant, which would then need to disburse funding to partners as needed.
The maximum grant amount is $500,000 whether an entity applies as a single entity or as a collaboration. - Can organizations submit letters of support?
The OBAE scoring committee cannot consider Letters of Support (LOS) for the PINON grant. There is neither a question in the application requesting LOS nor is it part of the scoring criteria. There is also no file upload for miscellaneous supporting documents within the Portal. - Can an applicant include URL links in the narrative sections in the application portal?
The application portal allows for rich text editing, which includes the ability to add a link to a URL. However, a URL would drive the scoring committee to documentation outside the portal which the scoring committee cannot consider. - How do you estimate covered populations served on the application?
If your organization currently provides services to the public, rely on prior data for how many individuals you serve. If you are starting a new program, OBAE recommends starting at the low end of the number of individuals served.
The US Census Digital Equity Act Population Viewer gives insights into local communities. You can download county and census tract level data which provides a count and percentage of individuals by covered population. On 2/24/2025, NTIA released additional guidance for identifying baseline data for the covered populations. - Providing community members with food and refreshments is part of our established and culturally competent community engagement activities for assessments and evaluation purposes. Can we use these funds to support these activities?
It will likely be a huge administrative burden proving the costs are necessary for the federal grant. The only instance where the answer is a definite Yes is when the meeting is considered a conference. However, a community meeting would generally not be considered a conference.
Meals and refreshments associated with conferences and trainings are allowable under 2 CFR 200.432 where a conference is defined as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, workshop or event whose main purpose is to share technical information beyond the recipient agency. These events must be necessary and reasonable for the successful performance of the federal award. - What are examples of “civic” outcomes that digital inclusion activities might support?
Digital inclusion support can help with increased civic engagement through enabling online participation in community forums, access to government information and services, ability to vote digitally, informed decision-making due to wider access to news and data, greater awareness of local issues, and the capacity to advocate for community needs through online platforms. - What costs are subject to the 3% Administrative Cap?
- As outlined in the NOFO, an entity that is awarded funding under the PINON grant may not use more than 3% of the grant amount for expenses relating (directly or indirectly) to the administration of the PINON grant. In all cases, administrative costs must be reasonable. Administrative costs are distinct from programmatic costs. Programmatic costs are not subject to the caps.
- Administrative costs are those expenses not related to the direct provision of program activities. These are expenses incurred by the grant applicant in support of the day-to-day operations.
- Programmatic costs encompass expenses directly associated with the implementation and delivery of specific services or activities. These costs are directly attributable to the achievement of program objectives and the provision of services to Covered Populations.
- Costs can be split across different cost categories (e.g., an employee may spend part of their salary on activities towards the 3% admin cap, and part of their salary on the activities towards the 5% evaluation cap.)
- Examples of costs typically subject to the administrative cap are available in the list below. Please note this is NOT an EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
- Financial Accounting, Auditing and audit preparations, Contracting, Budgeting and budget preparation, General legal services
- Operations/Occupancy Costs Depreciation on buildings, General Liability Insurance, General office supplies, Travel costs for grants administration, Insurance, Maintenance
- General: Grants monitoring/reporting as required by OBAE and NTIA; Grants related policy and procedure development.
PINON Grant Reporting
Award recipients will need to comply with all NTIA guidelines, state laws and grant reporting requirements as outlined by the State of New Mexico.
