Scoring Big on Your Middle Mile Application Series: Understanding Review and Applicant Information

There are three phases of application review associated with the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program: Initial, Merit, and Programmatic. During the Initial Review, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) confirms completeness, eligibility, and responsiveness to curing. In Merit Review, applicants will score up to 100 points, and then NTIA will prioritize those applications which average 80 or more points AND meet 2 of the 5 statutory criteria in Programmatic Review. Essentially, applications for the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program that are most likely to be successful will remember the basics for scoring big:

• Focus on how the project will meet the needs the program intends to address.
• Submit all of the required forms through the grant portal.
• Provide complete, detailed information in each section of the application.
• Check documents for consistency and accuracy.

The application window will close on September 30, 2022. You can find more details here.