Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Accepting Applications for Telecommunications Grants

Friday, January 6th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is now accepting applications for two grant programs to improve telecommunications access for Wisconsin residents: the Nonprofit Access Grant Program and the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program.

Both grant programs are funded by the Universal Service Fund. The Nonprofit Access Grant Program provides grant funding to facilitate affordable access to telecommunications.

The Commission can award up to $500,000 in grants and applications are due at 1:30 p.m. on March 1, 2023. This year, the Nonprofit Access Grant will expand to a two-year performance period.

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations proposing projects that will facilitate affordable access to essential telecommunications services for low-income households, people with disabilities, or customers in areas of the state with relatively high costs of services.

More information can be found on the Nonprofit Access Grant Program webpage. The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program assists low-income customers in obtaining affordable access to telecommunications through the Lifeline program which provides a discount on essential telecommunications services.

The Commission may award up to $250,000 in grants under this program and applications are due at 1:30 p.m. on March 1, 2023. The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program is currently organized under two program goals: Outreach and Education, and Research and Resource.

Non-profit organizations, community-based agencies, political sub-divisions, and Tribal governments are eligible under both program goal areas. For-profit businesses, universities and other institutions of higher education are eligible under the Research and Resource program goal area.

More information can be found on the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program webpage. Grant applications for the programs must be submitted using the PSC Grants System. The system allows applicants to manage their applications online throughout the submission process.

The PSC will host a webinar on the application process and the PSC Grants System. Webinar registration information will be posted on the grant webpages once available.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.