Penn State professors partner on digital equity grant to benefit Philadelphia

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Two Penn State faculty members recognized for their expertise in broadband and digital access helped shape an effort that secured a five-year, $11.9 million grant that aims to benefit residents of the city of Philadelphia. Christopher Ali and Sascha Meinrath both members of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, co-funded and help run the Pennsylvania Broadband Research Institute (PBRI), which is a partner in the grant. The grant was part of an overall effort to support 24 projects across 39 states and territories announced by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The funding came from the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project aims to increase access to the internet and devices, as well as other digital inclusion resources; increase digital skill development through basic to intermediate digital skills classes and workshops; and provide professional development and technical support to community-based organizations supporting digital inclusion programs.


Penn State professors partner on digital equity grant to benefit Philadelphia