Maryland Department of Housing and
Community Development

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Community & Provider Resources

Through partnerships with local jurisdictions and the private sector, Connect Maryland provides funding and technical assistance to help ent​ities qualify for federal financing opportunities.​

Funding Assistance

Request for Interest: Federal Funding Application Assistance

This program offers 100% grants to Local Jurisdictions or their ISP partner for the costs associated with Federal Funding Applications. The grant may pay for the cost of market studies, engineering, legal financial and other approved services provided by outside consultants necessary for a Federal Funding Application preparation.

This program has no application window. Interested applicants should contact the Office to discuss their project and determine if an application can be funded.

 Request for Interest in Assistance for Broadband Expansion for Unserved Rural Areas: Federal Application Assistance​​

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Digital Equity

MEER: Maryland Emergency Education Relief Grant

The MEER grant program is designed to provide relief to K-12 students and related school staff to close the gap for students who lack necessary internet access or the devices they need to connect to classrooms. Eligible applicants are Schools, Libraries, and Anchor Institutions. Given their purpose, the grant opportunity will help communities close existing gaps and lay the groundwork for improved broadband access, adoption, and utilization.

The program provides grants of between $50,000 and $350,000 for up to 100% of the eligible program costs. Funding will be provided for qualifying expenses and projects completed between September 1, 2021 and September 15, 2022.

  • $14 million is available for this program.
  • The funding source for the ​program is t​he Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Fund and all federal rules required of the funding apply to the program.

Notice​ of Funding Availability (NOFA) for MEER: Maryland Emergency Education Relief Grant
MEER Application Guide & Form​
MEER Application Form​​
FY22 Broadband Awards List​​​​

Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

This program will provide a subsidy up to $15/month against a low-income household's internet service cost. This subsidy is in addition to the $30 per month provided by the Federal ACP program; meaning eligible consumers can obtain a total benefit of up to $45 discount each month. Households must be enrolled in the Federal ACP program​ to receive this benefit.

Consumers should speak directly with their internet service providers for participation.

The subsidy will be paid directly to the Internet Service Provider who will reduce the household’s monthly bill

For more information: osb.md@maryland.gov

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Digital Inclusion Grant Program (MD-DIG)

The Digital Inclusion grant provides funding to local jurisdictions, 501(c) entities, and community based anchor institutions to further the state’s digital inclusion efforts. This grant opportunity will fund projects directed around digital inclusion planning and implementation.

  • Digital Inclusion Planning: Financial assistance for up to 50% of the cost of a Digital Inclusion Plan will be provided. The maximum grant request amount for Digital Inclusion Planning is $30,000 and the minimum amount is $5,000.​
  • Digital Inclusion Program Implementation: The Office ​will facilitate the award of financial assistance for up to 100% for the implementation, expansion or continuation of Digital Inclusion Program(s).The maximum grant request amount for Digital Inclusion Implementation is $75,000 and the minimum amount is $10,000.
    • REVISED: Applications for funding will be accepted through March 31, 2022.
    • $2 million is available for this program.​
    • The funding source for the program is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all federal rules required of the funding apply to the program.

Notice​ of Funding Availability for MD-DIG: Digital Inclusion​
MD-DIG Application Guide & Form
MD-DIG Application Form

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Connected Communities Grant Program (MD-GAPS)

​The MD-GAPS grant program is designed to assist local community based organizations, non-profits, and anchor institutions in creating Gap Networks and Community Networks. These networks are designed to address the affordability challenge many low to moderate income household’s face in subscribing to the internet.

The program provides grants of between $25,000 and $250,000 for up to 100% for the construction, deployment, expansion or continuation of community based gap networks. Given their purpose, the grant opportunity will help communities close existin​g gaps and lay the groundwork for improved broadband access, adoption, and utilization.

  • ​REVISED:​ Applications for funding will be accepted​​ through March 31, 2022.
  • $5 million is available for this program.
  • The funding source for the program is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all federal rules required of the funding apply to the program.

Notice of Funding Availability for MD-GAPS: Connected Communities​
MD-GAPS Application Guide & Form​
MD-GAPS Application Form​​
FY22 Broadband Awards List​​

Connected Devices Program (MD-CDP)

The Connected Devices (MD-CDP) grant program is designed to assist in digital equity and inclusion efforts in Maryland. The COVID pandemic increasingly forced individuals to isolate themselves within their homes and avoid public venues and services, placing a strain on households who do not have the technology necessary to access the internet. Working in tandem with discounted and free internet services from the Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit subsidy and Federal ACP subsidy, connected devices are an additional necessity. Unfortunately, many Marylanders’ cannot afford the cost of a device. MD-CDP is intended to provide new, internet-enabled devices to families who are most at need.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) issued an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) in order to procure approximately 145,000 devices over a period of approximately six (6) months. The device specifications included a minimum of: 13” screen, chrome OS, SD card reader, dual band Wi-Fi, 2 USB ports, headphone and video output jacks and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. The approved bidder, HP, Inc., plans to provide model HP Chromebook 14 G7 or similar in accordance with their contract.

The program provides grants of internet-enabled devices to counties and municipal governments to distribute to their eligible households. Eligible households are identified as a household with an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Qualifying households may receive only one device per address. The period of performance for the program is 6 months. A stipend of $6 per device is available to the applicant to assist with the cost of distribution.

Applications for funding will be accepted through December 23, 2022.​

  • $30 million is available to provide approximately 145,000 devices for this program.
  • The funding source for the progr​am is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all federal rules required of the funding apply to the program.

MD-CDP Application Guide & Form​
MD-CDP Application Form​​
Connected Devices Program Presentation​

Infrastructure Grant Programs

Connect Maryland: FY23 Network Infrastructure Grant Program

This program will offer grants of between $800,000 and $4.5 Million to local jurisdictions or their ISP partner to construct new broadband networks to service unserved households. The grant may pay for 70% to 90% of the capital construction costs associated with providing service to unserved homes and businesses. A match of 10% to 30% of the capital construction costs is required for this grant opportunity. Grant and match requirements are further outlined in the Grant Application package.

To determine the density and the required match, the number of households in the proposed funded ​service area (PFSA) should be divided by the number of route miles or towers​ in the PFSA. Middle mile transport, interconnection plant between PFSA’s and service drops to individual homes are not included in this calculation.

Connect Maryland: FY23 Network Infrastructure Statement of Existing Service Area

​The Office of statewide Broadband is accepting Statements of Existing Service Areas for the Proposed Funded Service Areas (PFSA) received as part of the FY23 ​Connect Maryland: Network Infrastructure Grant Program​. Instructions and conditions for responses can be found in the FY23 Statement of Existing Service Area​. Responses are due to the Office by December 22, 2022.

​Projects are broken into jurisdictional PFSA’s as are shown on the following pdf’s

Each project within the jurisdiction is numbered for reference. SHP or KMZ files of specific PFSA’s may be requested by sending an email to osb.md@maryland.gov ​with the requested jurisdiction and PFSA number noted. Requests must include the requester’s contact and company information, including requester’s name, telephone number, email address and company name and address.

Neighborhood Connect Broadband Grant Program

This program provides funding to local jurisdictions and their ISP partners to extend existing broadband service to unserved areas. The local jurisdiction is the applicant and fiscal agent and works with their ISP partner to develop the project and apply for funding. The program provides grants of between $50,000 and $500,000 to pay for at least 70% and up to 90% of the capital construction costs of the project. The program requires a cash or in-kind match of between 10% and 30% of the capital construction costs depending on the project being funded. The local jurisdiction or the ISP may own the assets being funded.

To determine the density and the required match, the number of households in the proposed funded service area (PFSA) should be divided by the number of route miles in the PFSA. Middle mile transport, interconnection plant between PFSA’s and service drops to individual homes are not included in this calculation.

  • This program is closed and not accepting applications.
  • The funding source for the program is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all federal rules required of the funding apply to the program.
  • Areas having received state grant funding in the past are ineligible for additional funding. Areas of past awards can be seen in the Cumulative Funding Map​. For additional information on past grant awards, please contact the Office of Statewide Broadband.

FY22 Neighborhood Connect Broadband Funding Program Application Package
​FY22 Neighborhood Connect Broadband Funding Program Application Form​
FY22 Neighborhood Connect Broadband Funding Program Capital Budget
FY22 Neighborhood Connect Broadband Funding Program MOU
FY22 Broadband Awards List​
SAMPLE:
​Exhibit D - Template for ISP Certification for Exemption​​​

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