KY BEAD: 2025 Application

The allocation of $1.1 billion from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) to Kentucky represents a substantial investment in the enhancement of the Commonwealth's broadband infrastructure. In response, the Kentucky Office of Broadband Development ("the Office") has initiated the statewide Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), complemented by the development of a thorough Five-Year Action Plan and Program Proposals Volumes I and II.

The BEAD Challenge Process identified all unserved and underserved locations eligible for funding under the BEAD program. Unserved locations are those without access to broadband service meeting the 25 Mbps download and three Mbps upload threshold; underserved locations lack broadband service meeting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standard of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. Utilize the Broadband Grant Application Download Tool and the Application User Guide to select the eligible locations, from the conclusion of the Challenge Process, in your project Application(s).

Eligibility Criteria

Prospective subgrantees must have approved Pre-Applications to be eligible to apply for BEAD funding. Eligible entities applying for Kentucky BEAD funding are:

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Local Governments
Non-Profits

All prospective subgrantees must demonstrate a commitment to expanding broadband access in underserved and unserved areas of Kentucky and adhere to all program guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Required Documentation

Required documentation encompasses a range of information, including but not limited to, Location ID information, evidence of community support, project pricing structure, project timeline, and project design. Additionally, prospective subgrantees may be required to submit supplementary documentation demonstrating their eligibility and capacity to effectively implement broadband projects.

For a comprehensive list of all required documents for submitting a Application, please download the Required Documentation Details file at the bottom of this page. Please note that the Office may request further documents while reviewing your Application and/or you may need to provide additional documentation.

Award Details

Award decisions will be based on the merit of each Application submitted during this Project Application phase of the process, as evaluated against established criteria, funding availability, and the overall strategic vision of the BEAD program. Once the application is reviewed and recommended by the Kentucky Office of Broadband Development, it will proceed to the NTIA for final approval and confirmation of BEAD funding.

Application Process

The BEAD Application process will accept submissions for 60 days: from January 15, 2025, through March 15, 2025. When the 60-day Application window ends at the end of the day on March 15, 2025, no further Applications will be accepted.

Please note that the KY BEAD Application User Guide is available to download below.

Documents

Document	Description	Last Modified
KY BEAD Application User Guide	This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions and definitions of key terms for prospective subgrantees navigating the BEAD Application process.	2/14/2025
Required Documentation Details	This document contains a comprehensive list of all the necessary documents for submitting an Application. Please note that the Office may request further documents while reviewing your Application and/or you may need to provide additional documentation should you progress to the next Award phase.	2/11/2025