BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Applications for subgrantees eligible for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, which aims to ensure all North Dakotans have access to high-speed internet, are now open. The results of North Dakota's BEAD Challenge Process, which is required for all states participating, were certified by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and subgrantees in eligible locations can now apply. North Dakota’s State Broadband Program Office (SBPO) has created a subgrantee selection process to allocate BEAD grant funding to eligible projects. This process aims to facilitate coverage of remaining locations classified as ‘unserved’ – those with less than 25/3 Mbps – and ‘underserved’– those with less than 100/20 Mbps. Senator John Hoeven discusses agricultural priorities at Farm Bureau meeting “We are excited to move to this next phase of the BEAD grants process,” North Dakota State Broadband Program Director Brian D. Newby said. “We continue to move closer to achieving the objective that all North Dakotans have home access to high-speed internet, and thanks to the great work by the state’s internet service providers, we are almost there already. This subgrantee selection process will be the first leg in the race to fill the gap through the BEAD program, in accordance with NTIA’s continued oversight.”  SBPO plans to conduct at least one round of applications and will repeat the process until all remaining eligible locations receive project bids. The state has one year from the September 6 approval of the Initial Proposal for the BEAD program to allocate funds and document determinations in its Final Proposal. Prospective subgrantees can see if they are eligible and access the application on the North Dakota WebGrants portal.   Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW