Tribal Technical Assistance Grants

Tribal Technical Assistance Grants help tribes in developing market studies, feasibility studies, and/or business plans which support Tribes in their pursuit of improving communications. The grants may be used to assess communication assets or spectrum and wireless coverage studies, locating nearby fiber optic internet routes, pricing, and various other studies are also eligible costs.

Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program Overview

California Tribes interested in technical assistance to pursue improved communications (for example, voice and broadband) to serve Tribal communities can apply for these grants to develop market studies, feasibility studies and business plans. The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) has funds available to support Tribal broadband needs and increase access. Public Utilities Code section 281(b)(1)(A) authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) Communications Division (CD) Staff to approve applications for these grants for technical assistance on reservations, trust lands, and surrounding areas.

For tribal technical assistance grant program guidelines and rules adopted by the Commission, refer to Decision (D.) 20-08-005.

Funding Goal and Amount Available for Grants

Grants to assist California Tribes in developing market studies, feasibilities studies, and/or business plans, which support Tribes in their pursuit of improved communications were specified in the Commission Decision.

Tribal technical assistance grants shall not exceed $150,000 per Tribe, per fiscal year. The aggregate amount available for awards (to all Tribes) shall not exceed $5,000,000 or until funds are replenished and/or exhausted.

Eligibility

California Tribes with or without federal recognition, that demonstrate Tribal leadership support are eligible for technical assistance grants.

Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Cycles

Applications may be submitted at any time. However, CD will consider applications submitted on or before each deadline listed below as a batch, quarterly, and ongoing, until the funding is exhausted.

October 1, 2020
January 1, 2021
April 1, 2021
July 1, 2021 and so on until the funding is exhausted

Deadlines that fall on a holiday or a weekend will be extended to the following business day.

Fact Sheet 

• Tribal Technical Assistance One Sheet  

List of Received Application and Approved Grant Award (Approval) Letters

• Applications Received by October 1, 2020 and Approval Letters
• Applications Received by January 1, 2021 and Approval Letters
• Applications Received by April 1, 2021

Application Form Package, Administrative Manual, and Affidavit 

• Tribal Assistance Administrative Manual
• Grant Application Package (excel file) 
• Submit Affidavit 

Tribal Technical Assistance Program Overview Webinar

To assist prospective applicants, Communications Division will host a Tribal Technical Assistance Program Overview webinar on September 8, 2020. See below for details:

Webinar Presentation
September 8, 2020 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Presentation with Audio

Additional Information

For more information please visit:

• FAQs Document
• Completion Report
• Overview for Applicants

General questions about the CASF Tribal Technical Assistance Grant program can be directed to: Tribal_Tech_Assist@cpuc.ca.gov