Category Archives: Opportunities

OPPORTUNITY: Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2024 open seats

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From the Minnesota Secretary of State…

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State (OSS) is providing notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils, and committees that are accepting applications. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. The newest vacancies are listed below. The complete list of 570 vacancies / 374 positions can be found on the Boards and Commissions Open Positions website.

Applications may be submitted online. Applicants who submit an application within 21 days of the “Publish Date” listed on our Open Positions page are assured full consideration by the appointing authority. Appointing authorities may choose to review applications received by the Secretary of State after the 21-day application period. You can still apply after the 21-day period though each appointing agency sets their own internal review dates for applications. If you have questions about specific board timelines, contact the board’s contact person listed on the OSS website by searching the board’s name.

See instructions for HOW TO APPLY at the end of this message.

Seats that I thought might interest readers…

Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2024

Vacancies: 6 Seats — County, City, Town, or Tribal Government Member

Vacancies: 2 Seats — Critical Infrastructure Representatives

Vacancies: 1 Seat — Minnesota National Guard Representative

Vacancies: 2 Seats — Private Sector IT Representatives

Vacancies: 1 Seat — Public Education Representative

Vacancies: 1 Seat — Public Health Representative

Vacancies: 2 Seats — State Planning Representatives

How to apply…

– Visit the Boards & Commissions page
– Scroll down or use the search fields to look up the specific board you are interested in.
– To apply for a seat, click the green APPLY button in the “Open Positions” dropdown table near the top of the board webpage.
– The website will walk you through creating an application profile if you haven’t set up one up already.

-You will need an OSS account. Email official.documents@state.mn.us if you have trouble setting up your profile.
– You can submit additional supporting materials with your application (e.g. cover letter or resume).

– Hit “SUBMIT” when done.

How to find other opportunities…

– Visit the Open Positions page
– Scroll down the page to find the boards or seats you may be interested in. To learn more about the respective positions, click on the hyperlinks.
– To apply for a seat, click the green APPLY button on either the main Open Positions table or from the board’s webpage.
– The website will walk you through creating an application profile if you haven’t already.

– You will need an OSS account. Email official.documents@state.mn.us if you have trouble setting up your profile.
– You can submit additional supporting materials with your application (e.g. cover letter or resume).

– Hit “SUBMIT” when done.

OPPORTUNITY: Library-School Partnership RFP from Libraries without Border (deadline Oct 31, 2024)

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An opportunity from Libraries without Borders…

LWB US is seeking to partner with public libraries across the United States to enhance access and usage for underserved youth and families through the creation of library access points within local schools.

Five selected partners will receive technical assistance spanning data collection and analysis, strategy and partnership development, project implementation and sustainability as well as supplies and materials up to $5,000 to support the direct costs of establishing and enhancing outreach and access within their local school system.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2024.

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

OPPORTUNITY: Digital Inclusion Trailblazers 2024 Application (deadline Nov 1, 2024)

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An invitation from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)…

Digital Inclusion Trailblazers are municipal, county, or regional governments that are paving the way and providing excellent models for digitally inclusive communities. They are intentional. They are invested. They are committed to advancing digital equity. The Trailblazers recognition isn’t just an award — it’s also a collection of valuable resources. The places selected as Trailblazers provide models to aspire to, demonstrating how local governments can support their own digital inclusion ecosystems.

VA offers veterans nationwide access to emergency telehealth care

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Next Gov reports…

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Thursday that veterans across the country who are enrolled in VA care can now receive virtual emergency assessments to determine the severity of medical afflictions.

The new tele-emergency care — or tele-EC — service is designed to connect retired servicemembers with clinical triage nurses, who can then evaluate their symptoms and determine if they require in-person aid.

“Veterans can get immediate, virtual triage with a VA medical provider who has direct access to their medical records,” VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal said about the new service. “This avoids having to potentially drive to the nearest emergency department and wait to be evaluated, if appropriate.”

Veterans can access the tele-EC service by contacting VA Health Connect — which provides veterans 24/7 access to medical personnel for a variety of healthcare needs — or through the department’s VA Health Chat app.

OPPORTUNITY: Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program Deadline Nov 21

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KFGO Radio reports…

 Senator Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) is inviting new farmers to take advantage of the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program, a program that will provide up to $20,000 in reimbursement for Minnesotans who are just starting out in the agriculture industry.

“Agriculture is the industry that drives Minnesota’s economy and the economy of communities in every corner of our state, but it can be an expensive endeavor for those just starting out,” said Sen. Kupec, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. “This program is a great way for people to get a new farm off the ground by helping reimburse them for some of those big ticket items and upgrades to get started. I encourage anyone interested in farming to apply.”

The Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program offers up to $20,000 for beginning farmers in Minnesota to make investments in their farm’s equipment and infrastructure. The intent of this grant program is to support new farmers in Minnesota to access equipment and develop infrastructure that will be crucial to the future of their farm business.

Through this grant, beginning farmers will be able to pay for:

  • Farm equipment
  • Farm infrastructure development such as investments in water access, irrigation, fencing, electricity, walk-in coolers, production-related structures such as livestock buildings and greenhouses, and other farm infrastructure.

Applicants may request funds at two levels:

  • up to $5,000 for a mini-grant or
  • up to $20,000 for a full grant.

The minimum request allowed is $1,000.

Applications for this new program opened on Tuesday, September 24 and will be open until Thursday, November 21.

More information about the program, including eligibility requirements, and details about how to apply are available here:  https://www.mda.state.mn.us/beginning-farmer-grant

OPPORTUNITY: FCC Opens Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Schools and Libraries Application Window

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The FCC reports…

The Federal Communications Commission today announced the opening of the application window for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.  During the 45-day application filing window, which will run from September 17, 2024 to November 1, 2024, eligible schools and libraries can apply to participate in the three-year, $200 million pilot program.  Participants selected for the pilot program will receive support to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment, while providing the Commission with data to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks.

“School districts and libraries across the country have proven to be prime targets for cyber criminals.  The vulnerabilities in the networks are real—and growing,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “Through this pilot program, we’ll have a chance to better understand what equipment, services, and tools will help protect school and library broadband networks from cyberthreats.”

Modeled after the FCC’s successful Connected Care Pilot, the Cybersecurity Pilot Program will allow the FCC to collect data and evaluate the effectiveness of using universal service funds for cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data.  The $200 million budget will use general universal service funds to ensure that gains in enhanced cybersecurity do not come at the cost of undermining E-Rate success in promoting digital equity and basic connectivity.  The pilot program will also allow the FCC to share actionable data with federal, state, and local government partners to jointly address this growing problem.

Interested schools and libraries can apply for the pilot program by providing basic information about their cybersecurity needs, experience, and plans to use the funding if selected in Part 1 of the application.  Then, selected pilot program participants will be required to provide more detailed information in Part 2 of the application to help the Commission determine whether and how to best use limited universal service funds to support the long-term cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries.

The pilot program is part of Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Learn Without Limits initiative to address the Homework Gap by ensuring connectivity to and within schools and libraries.  This initiative includes Wi-Fi on school buses, the Wi-Fi hotspot lending program, and E-Rate support for libraries in Tribal communities.

OPPORTUNITY: FCC starts Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

The Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday its $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program is just days away from being operational. Eligible K-12 schools and libraries can apply for funding starting September 17, with the window closing on November 1, according to the agency’s public notice.

Adopted by a 3-2 FCC vote in June, the three-year pilot program will bolster cybersecurity protections for educational institutions, which have become frequent targets of ransomware attacks and data breaches due to the large amounts of personal data they manage, including addresses, social security numbers, and medical information.

OPPORTUNITY: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Eight Board Member Positions

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From the FCC…

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR EIGHT BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS ON THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 97-21

Nominations Due By:  October 28, 2024

 

Pursuant to section 54.703(c) of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks nominations for the following Board member positions on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) listed below for a three-year term.[1]  In addition to the six positions that are expiring as a matter of course at the end of this year, the Commission also seeks nominations for two additional vacancies resulting from a resignation and carryover vacancy of USAC Board members.

  • Representative for interexchange carriers with annual operating revenues of more than $3 billion (position currently held by Alan Buzacott, Executive Director of Federal Regulatory Affairs, Verizon Communications, Inc.)
  • Representative for rural health care providers that are eligible to receive supported services under section 54.601 of the Commission’s rules (position currently held by Brent Fontana, Senior Manager, Amazon Web Services)
  • Representative for state telecommunications regulators (position currently held by Sarah Freeman, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission)
  • Representative for incumbent local exchange carriers (non-Bell Operating Companies) with more than $40 million in annual revenues (position currently held by Kenneth F. Mason)
  • Representative for schools that are eligible to receive discounts pursuant to section 54.501 of the Commission’s rules (position currently held by Julie Tritt Schell, State E-Rate Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Education)
  • Representative for schools that are eligible to receive discounts pursuant to section 54.501 of the Commission’s rules (position currently held by Dr. Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators)[2]

[1] 47 CFR § 54.703(c).

[2] Dr. Domenech tendered his resignation from the USAC Board of Directors effective December 31, 2024.  See Letter from Radha Sekar, Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Administrative Company to Trent Harkrader, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau and Mark Stephens, Managing Director, Office of Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 97-21 (Aug. 12, 2024) (attaching letter of resignation of  Dr. Domenech).  Pursuant to section 54.703(c) of the Commission’s rules, we solicit nominations to fill the remainder of Dr. Domenech’s term, which expires on December 31, 2025.

  • Representative for information service providers (position currently held by Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center)
  • Representative for interexchange carriers with annual operating revenues of $3 billion or less (position currently held by Michael Skrivan)[1]

We are persuaded that having Board members with substantive areas of expertise relevant to running a large and complex organization with such skills as accounting, finance, auditing, procurement, data management and information technology will improve the management, administration and oversight of USAC.  If members of the relevant industry or non-industry group fail to reach consensus on a candidate to serve on the Board, or fail to submit a nomination for the particular Board member seat, the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission will select an individual from that industry or non-industry group to serve on the Board as outlined in section 54.703(c)(1).[2]

Pursuant to section 54.703(c)(2) of the Commission’s rules, each nomination must be captioned: “In the Matter of: Nomination for Universal Service Administrative Company Board of Directors, CC Docket Nos. 97-21 and 96-45.”[3]  Nominations may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), or by filing paper copies.

  • Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings.
  • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number.
  • Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
  • Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
  • S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 45 L Street, N.E., Washington DC 20554.

People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov, or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

In addition to the electronic or paper filing, copies of each nomination should be submitted to Charles Tyler, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, via email Charles.Tyler@fcc.gov.  Each nomination should specify the position on the Board of Directors for which such nomination is submitted and should be accompanied by the nominee’s professional and biographical information, such as a résumé or professional biography.  All nominations must be filed with the Office of the Secretary by October 28, 2024.

[1] The Commission sought nominations for this position in 2023 but did not receive any.  Consistent with section 54.703(c) of the Commission’s rules and USAC Bylaws, the incumbent, Michael Skrivan, has continued to serve pending selection of a replacement.  Nominations are again invited for this position, which would expire on December 31, 2026.

[2] 47 CFR § 54.703(c)(1).

[3] 47 CFR § 54.703(c)(2).

Opportunity Fund Fellowship Call—Applications Due September 15

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Benton Institute of Broadband & Society reports…

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society believes we need to build resilient, high-speed broadband infrastructure that reaches everywhere in the United States; to connect everyone to affordable internet service and equip people with the devices and the skills they need to use these connections; and to ensure broadband applications serve opportunity and equity for all. We accomplish our goals by making sure people have the timely information, rigorous evidence, and practical guidance they need to implement a ‘broadband for all’ agenda.

Through the Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund, we aim to support a new generation of broadband scholars, practitioners, and advocates working on broadband access, adoption, application, and equity. Our Opportunity Fund fellows—within academia, nonprofits and government agencies—conduct research and document best practices on critical questions about the future of the internet in our communities.

For the 2024-25 fellowship cycle—when an historic level of federal funds will flow to states to build infrastructure and implement digital equity plans—we are focused on identifying what the obstacles are that can hamper the success of the initiative and how we can address them. We are interested in questions such as:

What obstacles prevent people from subscribing to broadband? How does the cost of broadband service impact adoption? Does a concern for privacy and safety dissuade people from using the internet? How might climate change adversely impact building broadband infrastructure? What national or state policies could delay or disrupt broadband deployment and/or digital equity efforts? 

These questions are merely prompts and not an exclusive or exhaustive list. Please propose other approaches and questions to the overarching theme of barriers to building and using broadband networks. We especially welcome applications that focus on historically marginalized communities. Proposed projects can yield either practice or research-focused publications or multimedia content. Fellowships will range from $5,000-$20,000, with a tenure ranging from 6 months to 2 years.

Application Guidelines

To apply, please submit a resume or CV (no more than 3 pages) and a project proposal (no more than 1000 words). The proposal should include:

  • A research question or project topic and an explanation of how your project will support the goals of the fellowship program
  • A description of the research methods or the work you’ll do over the fellowship tenure
  • A rough timeline, budget, and whether you are applying as an individual or affiliated with an organization (see note below).
  • Proposed outputs (reports/toolkits/webinars/podcasts)

Deadline extended to September 15, 2024. Submit the documents as PDFs by email to research@benton.org and email us if you have questions about the fellowship, your eligibility, and the application process.

NTIA BEAD Request for Public Comment: Choosing the Right Mix of Technologies to Achieve Internet for All

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The NTIA is looking for comments before September 10…

Choosing the Right Mix of Technologies to Achieve Internet for All

NTIA Seeks Comment on Guidance for Eligible Entities on Choosing Alternative Broadband Technologies for BEAD Program

By: Evan Feinman, BEAD Program Director

In the course of designing the BEAD program, NTIA routinely has sought public input on key issues to ensure we succeed in connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. Today, NTIA is seeking public comment on one of the most challenging aspects of the Internet for All initiative: projects serving the most difficult and remote locations to connect.

Connecting everyone in America will require a variety of technologies. As states and territories begin selecting providers to build these networks, NTIA is seeking public comment on proposed guidance for how states and territories can fund a broad range of technologies to ensure connectivity for the most remote and expensive locations.

Fiber is a future-proof technology that will grow with families’ data needs over time. It is the gold standard. But where fiber is not economically feasible, states and territories have other options. NTIA’s existing guidance lays out how states and territories can ensure they are selecting the most reliable and scalable technology available to a location using fiber, hybrid fiber/coax networks, and licensed fixed wireless networks. Today, NTIA is releasing draft policy guidance, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, that provides states and territories additional clarity as to how to consider projects using alternative technologies.

The Cascade of Options

The Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines a clear cascade of options for states and territories to follow when choosing providers to receive BEAD program funding. But as a starting point, regardless of the technology used, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires Internet service providers to deliver speeds of 100/20 Mbps and latency of less than or equal to 100 milliseconds.

States must use “reliable broadband” technologies first. “Reliable broadband” is Internet service that meets high-speed thresholds, can adapt to changing societal needs, and provide service for decades.

  • Fiber builds are priority broadband projects for BEAD. If a provider bids to serve a home or business with an end-to-end fiber connection, and their proposal is not too expensive, then they will be prioritized in receiving funds to deploy that network.
  • The next priority is other “reliable broadband” technologies, like coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless. These technologies are prioritized above alternative technologies. They may be selected for any locations that would be too expensive to serve with fiber.

For a small percentage of locations, in the hardest-to reach-parts of the country, a “reliable broadband” provider will not be available, or it will be too costly to deploy. In these limited circumstances, states can choose to fund projects using an alternative technology. Alternative technologies include unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service that meet the BEAD speed and latency requirements.

Choosing an Alternative Technology

Different states and territories may choose different approaches to the mix of technology used to connect everyone. The draft guidance addresses two critical issues for states and territories considering funding alternative technology projects to their most expensive to connect locations.

First, it provides guardrails for where states and territories may deploy alternative broadband technologies with BEAD funds. The guidance requires states to review existing alternative technology deployments and commitments to deploy alternative technology in the future. If an area is served (or will be served) by an unlicensed fixed wireless provider or LEO network that meets the BEAD speed and latency requirements, BEAD funds cannot be used to deploy another alternative technology project. This will ensure we direct limited BEAD funding to where it is needed most.

Second, the proposed guidance details how funding can be used to support alternative technology projects. That includes how states may fund projects using LEO satellite service. NTIA is seeking comment on how to best enable alternative technologies while maintaining consumer affordability, key consumer protections and program integrity safeguards.

  • NTIA proposes permitting states and territories to use BEAD funding to reserve LEO Internet capacity. Reserving capacity will ensure LEO projects meet BEAD speed and latency requirements and guarantee service availability for the life of the program.
  • NTIA also proposes requiring states and territories to ensure necessary equipment at customers’ homes, such as antennas for fixed wireless service or terminals for LEO service, is affordable to consumers. This will address the affordability challenges this equipment can pose to adoption and aligns with BEAD funding use for other consumer premise equipment.

NTIA seeks comment from the public on this proposed guidance, including on mechanisms that ensure compliance with BEAD obligations for LEO capacity subgrants and alternative reimbursement structures for LEO capacity subgrants. If you wish to provide comment to NTIA, please submit to BEAD@NTIA.gov by midnight ET on September 10, 2024.

OPPORTUNITY: PCs for People is looking for partners

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I am delighted to share this opportunity from PCs for People, who have partnered with Blandin Foundation in the past with Blandin Broadband Communities and Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities…

PCs for People has the opportunity to apply for the NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant which would allow us to distribute even more devices to our partners and their clients over the next four years. I am reaching out to gauge your interest in further collaborating with us.

If awarded this grant, we would be able to provide our BEST category laptops for $87.50 each and/or hotspots for $30 with 3 months of service at no cost to your clients. We would need a letter of support (more info to come on this) and an estimate of how many devices you would purchase over the next four years at the above costs.

Per the stipulations of the grant, the devices would need to go to “covered populations” which are defined as:

– Households with income from the most recently completed year of not more than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL);

– Aging individuals;

– Incarcerated individuals, other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility;

– Veterans;

– Individuals with disabilities;

– Individuals with a language barrier, including English learners and those with low levels of literacy;

– Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and/or

– Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area.

With a tight turn around deadline of September 23 and a variety of moving pieces, time is of the essence!

Please let me know if you’re interested in further discussing this opportunity for both our organizations to help bridge the digital divide.

If you are interested, please contact Kira Welle kwelle@pcsforpeople.org or 651-354-2552.

OPPORTUNITY: Applications soon open for a New Initiative to Recognize Native Entities

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NDIA (National Digital Inclusion Alliance) reports…

Seven Star Communities is a new initiative to honor and celebrate Native nations accomplishing digital inclusion work. Native nations are a critical part of our network of digital inclusion practitioners here at NDIA. The Seven Star Communities program hopes to highlight outstanding work, and also provide an opportunity for Native nations to learn from each other.

The application for Seven Star Communities 2024 will open towards the end of August.

OPPORTUNITY: FCC Announces Anticipated Renewal of its Consumer Advisory Committee and Solicits Nominations for Membership

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From the FCC…

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces the anticipated rechartering of the Consumer Advisory Committee (Committee) and solicits nominations for membership. The Commission intends to recharter the Committee for a period of two (2) years following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Service Administration. It is anticipated that after this consultation, the renewed charter will become effective on or before October 13, 2024.  Nominations for membership are due by September 6, 2024.

 

PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

 

The Committee’s mission is to make recommendations to the Commission regarding topics of particular interest to consumers that will be specified by the Commission.  For additional background about the Committee, see its website:  www.fcc.gov/consumer-advisory-committee.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Committee will operate in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10.  Each meeting of the Committee will be open to the public. A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting.  Records will be maintained of each meeting and will be made available for public inspection. All meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

 

Members will serve at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Commission. The Commission will determine the appropriate Committee size necessary to effectively accomplish the Committee’s work.  While there is no required number of meetings, the Committee typically holds meetings three times per calendar year, to be conducted in Washington, D.C., and/or by video conference.

 

Members of the Committee will be expected to participate in at least one working group. The time commitment for participation in any such group may be substantial. However, working group meetings may be conducted informally, using suitable technology to facilitate the meetings, subject to oversight by the Designated Federal Officer of the Committee.

 

WHO MAY APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

 

The Commission seeks nominations from interested nonprofit organizations, corporations, trade associations, government agencies, or other entities from both the public and private sectors, who wish to be considered for Committee membership for a two-year term of service.  Selections will be made based

on factors such as expertise and diversity of viewpoints that are necessary to effectively address the topics before the Committee.

 

Individuals who do not represent an organization, corporation, trade association, or entity, but who possess expertise valuable to the Committee’s work may also apply.  However, any applicants who want to serve in their individual capacities should be aware that government ethics rules may require detailed disclosures as part of the consideration of their application to serve as independent subject matter experts, and if appointed, such individuals would be considered Special Government Employees (SGEs).  Federally registered lobbyists are not eligible to serve as SGEs.  The Commission’s Office of General Counsel conducts ethics reviews of all organizational and individual members of the Committee or its working groups. SGEs, in particular, are subject to a variety of restrictions under the conflict of interest statutes, 18 U.S.C. § 203 et seq., and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 C.F.R. Part 2635.  SGEs must file confidential employee financial disclosure forms prior to beginning their service and annually thereafter.  SGEs will also be subject to ethics restrictions in section 4(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 154(b), and in the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR Part 19 and 5 CFR Parts 3901 and 3902.

 

NOMINATION PROCEDURE, DEADLINE, AND MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

 

All nominations must be received by the Commission by no later than September 6, 2024, and should be submitted via an online nomination form at www.fcc.gov/consumer-advisory-committee unless use of that form would present a hardship, in which case the information and documents specified below may be submitted by email to CAC@fcc.gov.  Nominations will be acknowledged shortly after receipt. Because mail delivery may be delayed by security screening and precautionary measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interested parties are required to submit applications online.

Get more details.

OPPORTUNITY: Broadband Program Assistant – State Program Administrator

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Working Title: Broadband Program Assistant
Job Class: State Program Administrator
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

  • Job ID: 78643
  • Location: St. Paul
  • Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible to telework up to four (4) days per week.
  • Full/Part Time: Full-Time
  • Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
  • Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 07/29/2024.
  • Date Posted: 07/23/2024
  • Closing Date: 08/05/2024
  • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employ & Econ Development Dept / Employ & Economic Dev-MAPE
  • Division/Unit: Business & Community Dev / 0359 Broadband Development
  • Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
  • Days of Work: Monday – Friday
  • Travel Required: Yes, up to 20% of the time
  • Salary Range: $23.63 – $34.18 / hourly; $49,339 – $71,367 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
  • FLSA Status: Nonexempt
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you’ll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

The Broadband Program Assistant position exists to assist in the administration of projects and programs for the Office of Broadband Development. This includes preliminary review and evaluation of grant applications, contract processing and grant bookkeeping and reporting. The incumbent will also provide technical and organizational support of projects, as well as coordinate and manage marketing materials, communication announcements and inquiries. The position is responsible for examining, processing, and tracking invoices, expenses, and acquisitions to ensure accuracy and prompt payment using electronic and paper filing and database systems. The Broadband Program Assistant also provides technical assistance to clients and responds to client inquiries with program information.

DEED is committed to radically increasing economic impacts for individuals and businesses that face systematic barriers to growth. This position will contribute to efforts to build a positive internal culture that makes DEED an extraordinary place to work! If you want to make an impact and help people create possibilities, come and be a part of our amazing team!

Learn more:  Broadband Program Assistant – State Program Administrator- Job ID 78643, or Apply Here.

OPPORTUNITY: Benton Institute’s 2024 Opportunity Fund Fellowship Call

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From the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society…

Applications Due August 31, 2024 // Email questions to research@benton.org

About Us

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society believes we need to build resilient, high-speed broadband infrastructure that reaches everywhere in the United States; to connect everyone to affordable internet service and equip people with the devices and the skills they need to use these connections; and to ensure broadband applications serve opportunity and equity for all. We accomplish our goals by making sure people have the timely information, rigorous evidence, and practical guidance they need to implement a ‘broadband for all’ agenda.

About the Fellowship

Through the Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund, we aim to support a new generation of broadband scholars, practitioners, and advocates working on broadband access, adoption, application, and equity. Our Opportunity Fund fellows—within academia, nonprofits and government agencies—conduct research and document best practices on critical questions about the future of the internet in our communities.

For the 2024-25 fellowship cycle—when an historic level of federal funds will flow to states to build infrastructure and implement digital equity plans—we are focused on identifying what the obstacles are that can hamper the success of the initiative and how we can address them. We are interested in questions such as:

What obstacles prevent people from subscribing to broadband? How does the cost of broadband service impact adoption? Does a concern for privacy and safety dissuade people from using the internet? How might climate change adversely impact building broadband infrastructure? What national or state policies could delay or disrupt broadband deployment and/or digital equity efforts?

These questions are merely prompts and not an exclusive or exhaustive list. Please propose other approaches and questions to the overarching theme of barriers to building and using broadband networks. We especially welcome applications that focus on historically marginalized communities. Proposed projects can yield either practice or research-focused publications or multimedia content. Fellowships will range from $5,000-$20,000, with a tenure ranging from 6 months to 2 years.

Application Guidelines

To apply, please submit a resume or CV (no more than 3 pages) and a project proposal (no
more than 1000 words). The proposal should include:

  • A research question or project topic and an explanation of how your project will support the goals of the fellowship program
  • A description of the research methods or the work you’ll do over the fellowship tenure
  • A rough timeline, budget, and whether you are applying as an individual or affiliated with an organization (see note below).
  • Proposed outputs (reports/toolkits/webinars/podcasts)

Submit the documents as PDFs by email to research@benton.org by August 31, 2024. Email us if you have questions about the fellowship, your eligibility, and the application process.

Note: Fellowship funds do not cover institutional indirect costs; this restriction is applicable to all applicants.