California Advanced Services Fund: Broadband Adoption Account Grant

The California Advanced Services Fund: Broadband Adoption Account encourages applications for projects enhancing broadband access in underserved communities. Eligible projects include digital literacy training and free broadband access in public spaces. Applications are accepted anytime, with deadlines on January 1 and July 1 until funds are exhausted. Preference is given to initiatives targeting low-income and senior citizen communities, promoting digital inclusion and overcoming socioeconomic barriers to broadband adoption.

NOTE: Applications may be submitted at any time. However, staff will consider applications submitted on or before each deadline listed below as a batch, until all funds have been awarded.
January 1, 2026July 1, 2026January 1, 2027
And every January 1 and July 1 thereafter, until funds are exhausted. Any deadline falling on a holiday, or a weekend will be extended to the following business day.
Background
The California Public Utilities Commission will give preference to programs and projects in communities with demonstrated low broadband access, including low-income communities, senior citizen communities, and communities facing socioeconomic barriers to broadband adoption.
Eligible Projects:
Digital Literacy Projects- Digital inclusion projects may include digital literacy training programs and public education to communities with limited broadband adoption, including low-income communities, senior citizen communities, and communities facing socioeconomic barriers to broadband adoption. Broadband Access Projects- may include those that provide free broadband access in community training rooms or other public spaces, such as local government centers, senior citizen centers, schools, public libraries, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations. It can also include funding community outreach, such as analysis, comparison of Internet plans with the community, and call centers that will increase broadband access and adoption.

Eligibility

Eligible entities include local governments, senior centers, schools, public libraries, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations with programs to increase publicly available or after school broadband access and digital inclusion, such as digital literacy training programs are eligible to apply for grants.