Digital grant program halted by Trump administration, state says

Indiana is suspending the application period for a Digital Opportunity Grant program, which opened April 30, under orders from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Indiana Broadband Office announced Monday morning that it “has been notified by our federal partners to suspend” the program.

“At this time, we do not have any further information, but we will share any updates with you as we receive them,” the office added.

Previously called the “Digital Equity Program,” it was part of the federal Digital Equity Act.

The 2021 legislation provided $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. They were intended to ensure “that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy,” according to the office’s website.

Trump railed against the program last week, calling it “totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL” in a Truth Social Post last week, the Hill reported.

“No more woke handouts based on race! The Digital Equity Program is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway,” he wrote. “I am ending this IMMEDIATELY, and saving Taxpayers BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!”

The effort aimed to address systemic barriers to digital inclusion for certain populations: aging, incarcerated, disabled, low-income, rural and other people. Veterans, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with language barriers were also targeted for the help.

Indiana was awarded $842,000 in 2022 as part of the Digital Equity Planning Grant to fund the creation of the state’s first “digital equity plan”—although the office now refers to it as a “digital opportunity plan.” The Hoosier plan was developed in collaboration with the Purdue Center for Regional Development and was accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in April 2024.

Then, the state was allocated $15 million in Digital Equity Capacity Grant funding to implement the plan.

The state held a May 5 webinar to show entities how to apply, and had another scheduled for June. The deadline to apply was June 13. Those eligible to seek the grants were:

• Political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities of the state, such as local government units and agencies responsible for adult education, literacy, or public housing.
• Foundations, corporations, institutions, or associations that are not-for-profit entities and not classified as schools.
• Community anchor institutions, including schools.
• Local education agencies.
• Entities that carry out workforce development programs.
• Partnerships between any of the entities described above.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.