CASF Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Account
Electronic Claims and Applications Portal (eCAP) for Payment Requests
All grantees must now use the Electronic Claims and Applications Portal (eCAP) to submit payment requests for their CASF grants. The eCAP is available at: https://ecap.cpuc.ca.gov/s/. See the "Resources for Consortia" section below.Program OverviewNEW
The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Account offers grants to eligible consortia to facilitate deployment of broadband services by assisting CASF broadband infrastructure grant applicants in the project development or application process. This includes applicants to the CASF Infrastructure Account, Federal Funding Account, and other relevant programs approved under Senate Bill 156. Public Utilities Code section 281 is the guiding statute for the CASF. For historical background on the Consortia Account, please see the program's history.
The program rules and requirements are set in the CPUC’s November 20, 2025 Decision 25-11-003. Specifically, see:
- Appendix C of Decision 25-11-003 for Consortia Account application requirements and guidelines
EligibilityNEW
An eligible consortium (including Regional Tribal Consortium) that can apply for Consortia Account funds may include representatives of organizations including, but not limited to: Local and Regional Governments, Tribal Governments and Tribal Organizations, Public Safety, Elementary and Secondary Education, Healthcare, Libraries, Postsecondary Education Institutions, Community-based Organizations, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Agricultural, Business, Workforce Organizations, and Air-pollution Control or Air-quality Management Districts. An eligible consortium is not required to have as its lead fiscal agent an entity with a certificate of public convenience and necessity, and the fiscal agent may, for example, be a local public agency, tribal government, or other qualified nonprofit or for-profit organization with experience assisting tribal or local governments with telecommunications and/or grant-writing.
Applying for FundsNEW
The CASF Consortia Account accepts applications only during designated filing windows. During an open window, both existing and newly formed consortia (including prospective Regional Broadband and Tribal Consortia) may submit applications using the materials listed below. For current filing dates and timelines, please refer to the “Active Consortia Grants” section, including the 2026 Grant Cycle information.
Administrative Manual, Application Package, and Reporting Forms:
- Consortia Account Administrative Manual (updated Dec 2025)
- Appendix A - Consortia Account Application Package
- Appendix B - Consortia Account Forms
- Appendix C - Consortia Account Bi-Annual Progress Report and Payment Request Package
- Appendix D - Annual Audit Template
- Consortia Account Application Instructions and Overview
- Project Completion Report Template
Active Consortia Grants
2026 Grant CycleNEW
The CPUC will accept applications from Regional Broadband Consortia for the 2026 Grant Cycle from December 19, 2025 through February 20, 2026, for projects beginning July 2026. A separate application window for new Tribal Consortia will open after Tribal outreach and regional workshops and will be announced on this webpage.
Consortia Open Regions 2026 Application Cycle Map: Shows the consortia regions available for application in the 2026 cycle.
2022 Grant Cycle
The CPUC opened an application cycle on June 1, 2022 for the Consortia Account and received several applications by the July 15, 2022 deadline. On January 12, 2023, the CPUC awarded grants to consortia applicants in Resolution T-17778. The awarded consortia's Proposed Work and Performance Metrics Plans show the work activities, deliverables, performance measures and method for tracking, responsible parties, and other items.
CASF Consortia Regions Map: Shows the consortia regions from the 2022 Grant Cycle (Grants Approved in 2023)
Consortia Contact Information: Provides a list of consortia with active grants and consortia contact information.
Resources for Consortia
Consortia organizations may find the following links useful:
- 2026 Notice of Open Application Window for Consortia Account: Announcement and details regarding 2026 grant application cycle.
- Consortia Administration Letter May 2025: Guidance regarding documentation requirements for grant reimbursement claims.
- April 20, 2023 CASF Infrastructure Account Informational Meeting: Covers the 2023 CASF Infrastructure Account Applications and Updated California Interactive Broadband Map (Chrome or Firefox browsers recommended)
- California Interactive Broadband Map: To identify eligible project locations for the CASF Infrastructure Account.
- CASF Infrastructure Account - Project Development Resources: Provides project planning and submission of infrastructure grant applications.
- Federal Funding Account Webpage: Provides information about the Federal Funding Account, map, and application tools.
Payment Request Process for Consortia: All grantees must now use the Electronic Claims and Applications Portal (eCAP) to submit payment requests for their CASF grants. Grantees should no longer submit payment requests to the public email. The eCAP is available at: https://ecap.cpuc.ca.gov/s/.
- eCAP Help - FAQs: Provides helpful videos and FAQs on how to use eCAP.
Grant Cycles and Other Information
- 2022 Grant Cycle: Solicitation Notice | Applications Received | Consortia Awarded T- 17778
- 2021 Grant Cycle: Solicitation Notice | Applications Received | Consortia Awarded T- 17738
- 2020 Grant Cycle: Solicitation Notice | Applications Received | Consortia Awarded T- 17708 | T-17726
- 2019 Grant Cycle: Solicitation Notice | Applications Received | Consortia Awarded T- 17669
- Performance Audit: A Performance Audit of California's One Million New Internet Users Coalition Consortia program