Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for Competitive Grant Program

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which help us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54848-54849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17322]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Application for Competitive Grant Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information 
collections, which help us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before October 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, 
and Compliance, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4874, Washington, DC 20230, 
or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a4b4a9a7a2a4a7a8a2b3b5a786a8b2afa7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d0b2a2bfb1b4b2b1beb4a5a3b190bea4b9b1feb7bfa6">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please reference ``Competitive 
Grant Program Application Forms Comment'' in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, and 
Compliance, via telephone at (202) 482-1763, or via email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d0bab4a5b1beb590bea4b9b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="28424c5d49464d68465c4149064f475e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021 (Infrastructure 
Act or Act), which was adopted on November 15, 2021, provided $65 
billion of funding for programs to close the digital divide and ensure 
that all Americans have access to high-speed broadband. NTIA 
administers multiple broadband connectivity grant programs funded by 
the Act, including the Competitive Grant Program (CGP) which is 
authorized under 47 U.S.C. 1724 (<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/47/1724">https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/47/1724</a>). CGP provides federal funding

[[Page 54849]]

for grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of, among other 
things, advancing broadband adoption, digital skills development, and 
access to public connectivity resources.
    NTIA will use the information collected from each applicant to 
effectively review the proposed applications and budgets from eligible 
entities as defined by 47 U.S.C. 1724(b).

II. Method of Collection

    NTIA will collect data through both electronic and mail submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0660-0055.
    Form Number(s): TBD.
    Type of Review: Revision of a current information collection.
    Affected Public: Eligible entities applying for Competitive Grant 
Program funding, including political subdivisions, agencies, or 
instrumentalities of a State; Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, 
and Native Hawaiian organizations; foundations, qualifying 
corporations, institutions, and associations that are not-for-profit 
entities and not schools; community anchor institutions; local 
educational agencies; and entities that carry out workforce development 
programs; and other eligible entities (or partnerships between such 
entities).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 800.
    Estimated Time per Response: 18 hours per applicant.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,400 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $696,240.00.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Section 60305 of the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility.
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
    (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected.
    (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2026-17322 Filed 8-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P


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