FAQ: Cancellation of the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs

Digital Equity Act FAQ. American Library Association.

Last updated September 21, 2026

In May 2025, the Trump Administration canceled the Digital Equity Act (DEA) grant programs. 

As a result of a July 2026 court decision. in National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) v. Trump (Civil Action No. 25-3606), the government agreed to reinstate the DEA Competitive Grant Program. The federal agency in charge of the program, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is targeting a December 2026 opening for the grant application.  NDIA’s lawsuit is now on hold. 

ALA will be updating this page with additional information, so please check back for updates.  

What is the Digital Equity Act?

The Digital Equity Act is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) passed in 2021, the largest investment in broadband deployment ever ($65 billion) and the first time the federal government has assigned funding for digital inclusion at the state and local level. The $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act, a congressionally authorized program, was designed to close the digital divide in every state and territory by establishing grants to support broadband access and digital skills training for underserved communities. Additionally, the DEA plays a crucial role in supporting the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, created to improve high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities. The Digital Equity Act and BEAD are administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). 

Simply put, these funds were allocated to ensure that all residents, especially those who have been disproportionately impacted by digital inequity, have the skills, technology, and internet access necessary to fully participate in the digital economy. This includes being able to enroll in school, do homework or attend classes remotely, apply for a job, access healthcare, pay bills, connect with family, or start or grow businesses, and much more.  

What is the current status of the Digital Equity Act?

In May of 2025, President Trump announced via social media his decision to end the DEA programs. Shortly after, the United States Department of Commerce sent letters to states, informing them that funding for the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant was terminated and any project activity costs incurred after that would not be reimbursed. The DEA State Capacity Grant is still canceled.  

As the result of recent litigation, the DEA Competitive Grant is set to be reinstated with the government targeting a December release for a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). A NOFO provides grant application requirements and opens the grant application. However, uncertainty with this timeline and overall administration of the grant program remains.  

Groups who previously submitted an application will need to reapply adhering to the guidelines for the reopened program. We encourage groups to reconnect with your applicant partners and digital inclusion networks if you are considering reapplying to the grant.

Are there any legal cases involving the Digital Equity Act (DEA)?

In October of 2025 the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeking the reinstatement of the DEA Competitive Grant Program.  

On July 15, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, found that the inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities as a covered population within the DEA Competitive Grant Program is an unconstitutional consideration of race in grantmaking. The court found this provision was severable from the rest of the grant program. The government has committed to reinstating the Competitive Grant Program should the court find the provision was severable.  

As of late August 2026, NDIA’s case is now on hold until two weeks after NTIA issues a NOFO or January 15, 2027 (whichever date is sooner).   

How will the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act grants affect libraries?

The DEA was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a digitally equitable future for all. Community anchors, including libraries, were eligible to apply for funding. Libraries had begun to create plans about how they could use these funds to expand existing programs, create new ones, and/or increase capacity to meet growing demand, while also providing resources needed to develop and implement innovative approaches that promote and support digital equity, literacy, and inclusion in the years to come.  

Libraries provide equitable access to information and broadband-enabled services to our communities and have been doing so for decades. Each state created a digital equity plan that outlined its goals for achieving digital equity. Many of the programs and services the libraries provide were included in state plans. Examples include: 

  • Device distribution programs.
  • Digital literacy and skills training.
  • Economic development e.g. building new skills, starting or expanding a business, applying for jobs, etc.
  • Online access to telehealth services.
  • E-government and civic engagement.
  • Online accessibility.
  • Access to affordable broadband services.   

What is ALA doing?

In May 2026, ALA joined an amicus brief in support of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s (NDIA) suit to stop the illegal cancellation of the DEA Competitive Grant Program. ALA also joined national and community-based advocacy organizations in the Save the Digital Equity Act: Month of Action, this year to protect digital access programs.    

ALA will continue to advocate for legislative and regulatory policies that support the vital digital inclusion work libraries do day in and day out. ALA continues to affirm that access to affordable high-capacity broadband is as essential as electricity, and that ensuring all Americans have the skills to leverage digital technologies is critical. Technology access and digital skills drive success at school and at work and enable both healthcare access and civic participation.   

ALA will provide updates and communicate when it is clear what the court decision means for libraries and organizations which had previously applied for funding.   

Read ALA’s full press release on the recent DEA Competitive Grant Program court ruling.  

What is the difference between the Digital Equity Planning, Capacity and Competitive Grant?

The DEA allocated $2.75 billion to establish three main grant programs:  

  1. The $60 million State Digital Equity Planning Grant provided money to states to develop Digital Equity Plans.
  2. The $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program provided awards to states, territories, and Tribal entities to implement their Digital Equity Plans.
  3. The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program included $1.25 billion in grant awards over 5 fiscal years for private sector, public sector, and not-for-profit entities to advance digital equity and engage in digital inclusion activities. 

I applied for a Digital Equity Competitive Grant and/or Digital Equity subgrant. What is the status?

As of May 2025, the DEA Competitive Grant and State Planning and Capacity Grants were canceled by the President. As of July 2026, the government is set to reinstate the DEA Competitive Grant Program. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected in December 2026. If you previously applied for the Competitive Grant, you will need to reapply based on new guidelines that will be outlined in the NOFO. In the meantime, You may want to contact your state’s broadband office or contact your fellow DEA Competitive Grant applicants.

Additionally, some states have additional grant programs supporting digital equity programs that are not funded by the DEA. Check your state’s broadband office website for more information.  

What can I do?

  • If you applied for the DEA Competitive Grant, you may want to reassess your capacity should the DEA Competitive Grant be reinstated. Also, you may want to reconnect with the partners you submitted a DEA Competitive Grant application with. 
  • If you lost touch, reconnect with your state, regional, county, or city-level digital inclusion coalition. 
  • If you are considering applying or reapplying to the Competitive Grant, review the Native Entity Grant Program NOFO for insight into what NTIA may be looking for with the anticipated December 2026 Competitive Grant NOFO.  
  • Visit your state library and/or broadband office website to see if they have provided any updated information. Also visit NTIA’s website.      

Which groups are identified as being disproportionately impacted by digital equity?

The DEA promotes digital inclusion and spurs greater broadband adoption among covered populations disproportionally impacted by digital inequity. These populations include:   

  • Aging populations (60 and above)  
  • Covered households (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). 
  • Incarcerated individuals (other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility)  
  • Low-income households  
  • People with disabilities  
  • People with language barriers (including individuals who are English learners; and have low levels of literacy)  
  • Racial and ethnic minorities*  
  • Rural inhabitants 
  • Veterans 

    *A U.S. District Court found that the inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities as a covered population is an unconstitutional consideration of grantmaking. As of July 2026, this provision was deemed severable from the grant program.   

Where can I learn more about the Digital Equity Act cancellation?