Important Digital Equity Capacity Grant Funding Update
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, along with other states, was notified that effective Friday, May 9, 2025, the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grants were unilaterally terminated, by federal executive action. The Digital Equity Capacity Grant was funded as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and appropriated by Congress and includes funding for programs and services to help advance internet adoption and digital skills for Wisconsin residents. The Commission was accepting competitive grant applications when the termination notice was received. The grant program was designed to target digital skills and internet adoption support to low-income households, veterans, people with disabilities, older adults, rural residents and others Wisconsin residents who need additional programs and support to access and make use of the internet.
Due to the federal termination of the program, the Digital Equity Capacity Grant application was closed on May 13, 2025, and applications submitted to date will not be reviewed or considered for funding at this time. The Commission will notify applicants should funding become available again.
Governor Evers and the Public Service Commission remain committed to the grant program's objectives. We are working to understand the impacts that termination of this program will have on statewide internet adoption and digital skills.
Overview
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Digital Equity Act (DEA) with a goal of solving the digital divide for all Wisconsinites. The Digital Equity Act (DEA) consists of three separate planning and implementation grant programs that promote digital equity. Digital equity is the condition where all citizens have the skills, devices, and broadband service necessary to fully participate in the economy and society of Wisconsin.
Estimated Digital Equity Act Programs Timeline
*2022: August - December Initial Digital Equity Planning Funds applications submitted. $952,197 in planning funds allocated to Wisconsin starting October 1. Internet for All Wisconsin Kick Off Event. UW Extension Outreach Partnership begins.
2023: Jan. - July Commission awards $335,000 to 7 digital equity outreach projects. Outreach and engagement, data collection and analysis, and drafting of Digital Equity Plan. August WI State Digital Equity Plan out for 30-day public comment period. Sept 30 WI State Digital Equity plan due to NTIA.
2024: WI State Digital Equity Plan approved. Plan implementation begins. Federal Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program opens for applicants nation-wide.
2025+: State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program opens for WI applicants. Implementation continues.
Planning History
Wisconsin submitted the Digital Equity Plan approved by the Commission to NTIA in November of 2023. The plan establishes the digital equity goals, values, and measurable objectives for the State. The required Digital Equity plan is the result of comprehensive and robust outreach, local coordination, and survey data along with data on broadband access, affordability, and adoption. On March 7, 2024 NTIA approved the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan.
Digital Equity Act Programs
Funding is distributed through three programs, two of which are administered by the PSC:
- The State Planning Program provided funding to states based on a formula for the development of a state digital equity plan. Wisconsin’s share of planning funds is $952,197. These local planning funds included $335,000 Digital Equity Outreach Planning Grants administered by the Commission, see
Internet for All Planning Activities for more information.
- The State Capacity Grant Program provides funding to states through a formula to support digital equity projects and implement each state’s digital equity plan. Wisconsin’s estimated share of capacity grant funding is approximately $22 million over five years.
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The National Digital Equity Competitive Program, administered by NTIA, will support digital equity projects nationally over a five-year period. For more information, visit
NTIA's Digital Equity Competitive Grant webpage.
State Capacity Grant Program:
$22 million over 5 years
| Broadband adoption efforts for targeted communities
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Residents of rural areas
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Individuals of color
- Aging individuals
- Individuals with disabilities
- English language learners
- Veterans
- Incarcerated individuals
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For more information, visit the
Digital Equity webpage.