April 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California Department of Technology Launches $50 Million Digital Equity Grant Program
Why it Matters: The California Digital Equity Program (CalDEP) will invest $50 million to help close California’s digital divide. It will support local and statewide efforts to expand internet access, digital skills, and workforce training—so more Californians can connect and thrive.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –The California Department of Technology (CDT) announced applications are open for CalDEP—a new $50 million grant program to support communities expand access to broadband, digital literacy, and workforce training in alignment with the State’s Digital Equity Plan.
Funded by California’s Digital Equity Capacity Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, CalDEP builds on the work of the Broadband for All Initiative and reinforces California’s commitment to closing the digital divide. Grants will be awarded to eligible organizations working to ensure all Californians—especially those in underserved communities—have access to resources needed to participate in the digital economy.
“Every Californian deserves the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in today’s digital world. Through this $50 million investment, we’re doing a lot more than expanding internet access—we’re investing in people by working hand in hand with our local and statewide partners to close gaps in digital literacy and open doors to education, jobs, and opportunities.”
Liana Bailey-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and Director of the California Department of Technology
CalDEP will provide funding through two distinct tracks:
Track 1: Regional and Local Digital Equity Ecosystems $43 million is available and will be distributed to geographic regions (formula-based).
- Eligible applicants include nonprofits, tribes, local government and agencies, educational institutions, workforce development programs, and regional broadband consortia.
- Funded activities may include regional and local digital equity planning, broadband access initiatives, digital navigation services, digital literacy training, targeted device distribution programs, community center computer labs, and workforce training programs.
Track 2: Statewide Digital Equity Initiatives:
- $7 million available and awards range from $400,000 to $1 million.
- Same eligibility criteria as Track 1.
- Funded activities may include ecosystem-building and ongoing planning, statewide capacity-building for the ecosystem of partners to serve the specified Covered Population or Outcome Area, and statewide innovative projects or solutions
Application Period: March 26, 2025, through May 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.
CalDEP Grant Program and Applications:www.broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov/caldep/.
How to Get Started:
- Visit the CalDEP Landing Page – Review the grant guidelines, application details, and available technical assistance resources at broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov/caldep.
- Use the CalDEP Partnership Coordination Resource to find potential collaborators.
- A full suite of support materials is available on the CalDEP Technical Assistance page.
About the California Department of Technology
The California Department of Technology leads the state’s efforts to expand broadband access and digital equity. Through Broadband for All, CDT works to ensure that all Californians, especially those in underserved communities, have the digital resources they need to succeed.