Category Archives: Opportunities

OPPORTUNITY: Library-School Partnership RFP from Libraries Without Borders

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An opportunity from Libraries Without Borders...

Libraries Without Borders US (LWB US) is growing its partnership base across the country in order to increase library access and usage for underserved youth and families! This initiative aims to enhance partnerships between local schools, school libraries, and public libraries.

 

Through this Request for Proposal (RFP), LWB US will select five (5) public libraries or library systems with high levels of community need and a commitment to sustain successful efforts launched through the partnership.

 

Selected partners will receive technical assistance for community data collection and analysis, strategy and development for school-library partnerships, implementation support, ongoing evaluation, and sustainability planning. To nurture a successful partnership, LWB US will provide supplies and materials up to $5,000 to support the implementation of school-library initiatives. Please note that LWB US is not a grant funder. We partner with public libraries and library systems in order to increase community access to and engagement with resources and offerings.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted July 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025. 

 See Library-School Partnership RFP for more details and submission instructions.

Apply Now

 

OPPORTUNITY: Applications are now open for TechCongress January 2026 Congressional Fellowships

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TechCongress reports…

We’re excited to share that applications for our January 2026 Congressional Innovation Fellowships are OPEN
Are you interested in leveraging your background in technology to help guide policymaking in Congress? Maybe you know someone who is? Each year, TechCongress connects subject matter experts in technology with congressional offices and committees to help legislate our nation’s most critical tech issues. To date, TechCongress has placed 123 fellows with a passion for civil service on Capitol Hill to advise on tech policy. This year, we’re aiming to recruit 20 skilled technologists who will join Democratic and Republican offices and committees across the House and Senate to support legislation.
We’re also expanding our 2026 fellow profiles to include the following verticals, and encourage individuals specializing in one or more of these areas to apply:
🌍 Climate tech
🚀 Space science
💻 Digital service delivery

 

OPPORTUNITIES: Apply to be a 2025 Digital Inclusion Fellow

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An opportunity from NTEN…

NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship supports professionals working at organizations with deep connections to communities most impacted by digital divides that would benefit from digital literacy programs.

All fellows are supported to design and implement a digital inclusion program tailored to the their specific needs and contexts. …

Applications for the fellowship are now open.

Two forms must be submitted. Potential fellows should submit an application, and their supervisors should submit a form affirming their support of the fellow’s time commitment. Both forms must be submitted to be considered for the fellowship. If you have questions about applying, email us, and we’ll be happy to help.

 

OPPORTUNITY: Net Inclusion 2026 Call for Proposals

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An invitation from the NDIA…

NDIA is excited to announce the Net Inclusion 2026 Call for Proposals for Breakout Sessions and Workshops! It will be held February 3-5 in beautiful Chicago, IL, at the Sheraton Grand Riverwalk.

Net Inclusion 2025 in Gila River Indian Community offered 37 breakout sessions and 10 workshops and, most importantly, 240 diverse speakers sharing their expertise, innovative concepts, and digital inclusion programs. Speakers came from across the country, with many from your local communities.

We recognize the incredible work happening nationally in the field of digital equity and inclusion and invite you to share it with the NDIA community. If you wish to submit a session or workshop idea or if you’d like to be a speaker at Net Inclusion but don’t have the bandwidth to submit a session, you can do that in the same form.

Key dates and links:

  • Monday, June 16 – Breakout Sessions and Workshop Proposals Open
  • Thursday, June 26  – Information Session: Registration Link (recorded)
  • August 25  – Breakout Sessions and Workshop Proposal Closes
  • October 15 – Notifications sent out

NI2026 Breakout Session Proposal Link

NI2026 Workshop Proposal Link

FAQ Link

Register to attend the Call for Proposals Information Session on June 26 at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern. Registration is required.

Renville County residents are invited to take a broadband survey

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West Central Tribune reports…

Renville County residents are invited to take a short broadband internet survey through March 31 to gauge satisfaction with current internet service providers.

According to the release, those without a home or business broadband connection are also encouraged to take the survey in order to help the county consider different broadband solutions.

Residents can take the survey by visiting www.renvillecountymn.com and clicking on the survey link in the homepage pop-up or going directly to surveymonkey.com/r/2687525.

OPPORTUNITY: Digital inclusion participation survey for households making less than $90,000

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This is an invitation from the survey developers. The survey closes April 18, 2025. It would be nice to get big response from Minnesota so that we can learn more about digital barriers and fixes in Minnesota…

Public Knowledge, UnidosUS, and NDIA have been working on The Blueprint for Equitable Digital Participation—a national initiative focused on elevating the voices and experiences of low- and middle-income households navigating the digital divide.

Through a series of focus groups and roundtables, we’ve gathered valuable insights from community members and advocates. Now, as we move into the final phase of the project, we’ve launched a digital survey to broaden our reach and ensure even more perspectives are reflected in this effort.

We’d greatly appreciate your help in sharing the survey with your communities, particularly any participants in your digital inclusion programs.

  • The survey takes approximately 14 minutes to complete
  • Responses will be kept anonymous; however, if participants want to enter for a chance to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards, we ask that they provide their name and email addresses so we can contact them on how best to get a gift card to them.
    Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LS88XVT

OPPORTUNITY: Nominate Your Digital Equity Champion

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From the National Digital Inclusion Alliance…

Named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, NDIA created the awards to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity: from promoting the ideal of accessible and affordable communications technology for all Americans to crafting programs and policies that make it a reality.

NDIA presents two awards: the Digital Equity Champion Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has made a difference in the field of digital equity, while the Digital Equity Emerging Leader Champion Award acknowledges an up-and-coming leader. The awards are presented during the annual NDIA Net Inclusion conference on May 20-22, 2025 in Gila River Indian Community.

Award Criteria

To be successful, nominees should show the following:

1. Sustained Commitment and Expertise in Digital Equity

2. Innovation in Addressing and Solving Digital Inequities

3. Dedication to Serving Targeted Populations

4. Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration

5. Prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

6. Use Data to Shape Digital Inclusion Programs

7. Engage in Sustainable and Replicable Work

Learn more.

 

OPPORTUNITY: Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025

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The Federal Register reports…

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Community Connect Grant (CCG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This notice is being issued prior to passage of an FY 2025 appropriations act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare their applications and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $26 million will be available, for FY 2025. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

DATES:

The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Completed applications for grants must be submitted electronically by no later than 11:59 a.m. eastern time (ET), April 21, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

All applications must be submitted electronically at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/​community-connect. This funding opportunity will also be posted to https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Randall Millhiser, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 1590, Room 4121-S, Washington, DC 20250-1590, telephone: (202) 720-0800, email: .

For inquiries regarding eligibility concerns, please contact the Community Connect Program Staff at https://www.rd.usda.gov/​programs-services/​telecommunications-programs/​community-connect-grants#contact.

OPPORTUNITY: UMN Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) looking for project ideas

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University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) is looking for project ideas…

Do you have an idea for improving sustainability in your community? We’d love to hear from you! Ideas can be submitted at any time. Project decisions for the year are made between March and May.

Watch a short video on how to share your project ideas with RSDP.

Idea Brief

We hope you’re encouraged to share your ideas. Start the conversation by reaching out to the Executive Director in your region, or by submitting an Idea Brief below. A regional Executive Director will follow up with you soon.

Not necessarily broadband, but not necessarily not broadband-related either.

OPPORTUNITY: Dakota County Fiber Optic Network RFQ due Feb 14, 2025

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Dakota County is looking for bids to deploy fiber network in Dakota County. It starts with a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Feb 11…

Dakota County Fiber Optic Network
271505 DC-RS-Lower Spring Lk Park 13690 Pine Bend
Trail to Dakota County 1590 Hwy 55, Hastings – New Build
Request for Bids
ISSUED:
January 27th, 2025
BIDS DUE: February 14th, 2025
MAIL BIDS TO:
DELIVER BIDS TO:
Dakota County Information Technology Department
Attention: Dan Ferber
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota 55033
OR
Dakota County Information Technology Department
Attention: Dan Ferber
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota 55033
MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING:
February 11th , 2025at 2:00 PM
Please contact Roni Woods @ rwoods@logisMN.gov or 763-543-2673
for Teams meeting invite no later than January 20th, 2025.
Prepared by:
Justin Roggenkamp
(763) 543-2653
jroggenkamp@logisMN.gov

OPPORTUNITY: Open seat on Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

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The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council is looking for a new member. Here’s a little information…

The advisory council shall be comprised of: ( I ) Individuals with disabilities that use assistive technology or the family members or guardians of the individuals; ( II ) a representative of the designated state agency, as defined in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705) and the state agency for individuals who are blind (within the meaning of section 101 of that Act (29 U.S.C. 721)), if such agency is separate; (Interpreted as the State Services for the Blind.; ( III ) a representative of a state center for independent living described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.); (IV) a representative of the state workforce investment board established under section 111 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2821); (Interpreted to mean the Governor’s Workforce Development Council; ( V ) a representative of the state educational agency, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C> 7801) (interpreted to mean the Minnesota Department of Education; and ( VI ) representatives of other state agencies, public agencies, or public organizations, as determined by the state (ii) Majority. ( I ) In general. A majority is not less than 51 percent of the members of the advisory council, shall be members appointed under clause (ii)(I). ( II ) Representatives of agencies. Members appointed under subclauses ( II ) through ( VI ) of clause (i) shall not count toward the majority membership requirement established in subclause ( I ). (iii) Representation. The advisory council shall be geographically representative of the state and reflect the diversity of the state with respect to race, ethnicity, types of disabilities across the age span, and users of types of services that an individual with a disability may receive.

OPPORTUNITY: Submit Your Nomination for the 2025 Intelligent Community Awards

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An opportunity for communities from the Intelligent Community Forum…

The Intelligent Community Awards Program® honors the achievements of Intelligent Communities in creating dynamic, prosperous and inclusive economies that strengthen social connections and support rich and meaningful cultures. These are the things that make a community of any size a great place to live, work, start a business, build a career, raise a family and prepare a way for the next generation.

How to Nominate Your Community

You are welcome to submit a nomination at any time. See the Smart21 Events page for the next closing date. Start your nomination →

The Value of the Awards

The annual Award program focuses local, regional and international attention on achievements and progress that too often goes unnoticed in communities, especially in small-to-midsize ones that are seldom in the news. For residents and employers, it shows the community in a new light on a global stage, and motivates greater participation in programs.

The Awards Process

At each stage, ICF uses a standard, documented, transparent process to gather information on communities, analyze it, score it and report the results, described below.

ICF maintains data on hundreds of communities around the world, drawn from Assessment Questionnaires submitted by them, updates they provide and publicly available information. The questionnaires are based on standards developed for ICF’s Intelligent Community Certification program, consistent with the six Factors of the Community Accelerator Strategy.  ICF periodically reviews and updates the questions based on current best practices in development. Entered into ICF’s analytic model, the data produces a score for each Factor and a score for the community based on an equally-weighted average of the Factors.

Several Minnesota communities have participated in the past and several have done well. But as I recall, they learned a lot just from the process of self-assessing their communities.

OPPORTUNITY: Open seat on Launch Minnesota Advisory Board

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The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State reports…

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State (OSS) is providing notice that various state boards, councils, and committees are now accepting applications for open seats.

The newest vacancies are listed below. The complete list of 720 seats can be found on the OSS Open Positions webpage. Click on the hyperlinks to learn more about the respective boards and their positions. Or use the search fields to search for a specific board or position.

There is at least one position that might of interest to readers…

Launch Minnesota Advisory Board
Vacancies: 1 Seat – Private Business Representative (entrepreneurs, large businesses, industry organizations, investors, and private small business assistance providers, Greater Minnesota or Metro Area)

OPPORTUNITY: Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2024 seat open

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An opportunity from the Secretary of State several seats open on the Cybersecurity Task Force …

Membership

The Task Force membership shall meet, at minimum, the requirements of cybersecurity planning committee as defined in Public Law 117-58, Sec. 70612.

Membership requirements are based on and conform to Public Law 117-58. In summary, membership shall consist of the following:

  • The Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), or equivalent official of the eligible entity;
  • If the eligible entity is a state (including territories), then representatives from counties, cities, and towns within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
  • Institutions of public education and health within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity; and
  • As appropriate, representatives of rural, suburban, and high-population jurisdictions.

At least one half of the representatives of the Cybersecurity Planning Committee must have professional experience relating to cybersecurity or information technology.

 

OPPORTUNITY: Arvig essay contest where winner earns a trip to Washington DC to learn about rural broadband

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D-L Online reports…

A winning essay will earn one area high school student an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 2-6, 2025, to visit the capital and learn about the rural broadband industry as part of the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour.

Students in the Arvig service area are invited to submit an essay that answers the question, “How is Arvig-Connected Technology useful to you?” To be eligible, students must be between the ages of 15 and 17 at the time of the youth tour. The student must also be receiving Arvig internet, telephone and/or television services at their residence.

Essays can be up to 900 words in length and will be accepted through Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Essays can be submitted to Josie.Winkels@arvig.com.

I love everything about this!