Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 6.23.09
By Gregory Monroe - June 23, 2009 11:54 am
Greetings!
Welcome back to Merit Network's continuing coverage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
This post is just one of many weekly updates intended to keep you informed on the latest developments in funding opportunities for cyber-infrastructure, research and education.
Things are heating up in the world of ARRA Broadband, and we have a slew of updates this week as the final days count down before the release of the official Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the USDA's Rural Utility Service Broadband Program (RUS). The majority of this post will focus on some very exciting—albeit unofficial—material pertaining to the NTIA's BTOP. You’ll also be updated on the latest regarding the new Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLC) and its recent inclusion of Merit Network, Inc., as well as the latest from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) ARRA initiatives.
To begin, the NSF has posted a Frequently Asked Questions document for the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI-R2) on the solicitation webpage. The MRI-R2 serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our nation's institutions of higher education, museums and science centers, and not-for-profit organizations.
In other NSF-related items, deadlines for the NSF Academic Research Infrastructure (ARI-R2) program are quickly approaching. A Letter of Intent is required for all proposals, and the deadline to submit Letters is July 1st. There are strict guidelines for Letters submitted, one of which limits the project synopsis to a maximum of 2500 characters. Full proposals are due August 24th. For more information on the ARI-R2 program or Letter of Intent requirements see the ARI-R2 solicitation webpage.
The speculation (and excitement) surrounding the $7.2 billion in stimulus funding climbed to new heights yesterday when a gentlemen forwarded a message from a Washington D.C. law firm which states that the official NOFA for the NTIA's BTOP will be released next, Tuesday June 30th, with funds flowing by November. Of course, nothing is official yet.
In more unofficial news, there is held a common belief among ARRA Broadband insiders that there will be a common application for both the BTOP and RUS (this might imply that the RUS will also release its NOFA next Tuesday). The application will take the form a web portal, and though there is a common application, each will have different guidelines and requirements.
Mark Seifert, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said in a keynote address of Pike and Fischer's Broadband Policy Summit, that the NTIA is working hard with the USDA's RUS to create a unified application, which Seifert said would be a "major achievement."
The application is said to employ a 'point scoring' system very similar to the RUS Community Connect Grant program of 2009. House Energy and Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va, is on record saying that he views the RUS Community Connect program as an example of a "very successful" way to deploy broadband to rural districts. This has been particularly true in Boucher's rural district.
For "a few hundred thousand dollars," the program has enabled communities with only a few hundred residents to become served "with extraordinary efficiency," he said. But he also stated that the criteria for Community Connect are too restrictive.
For all the clamor state governments and the National Association of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (NARUC) have made recently in an effort to secure block grants to states for distribution of ARRA broadband funds, word on Capitol Hill is that no preference, veto authority or any other special considerations will be given to individual states, which means that Research and Education Networks will be given the opportunity to compete with state-led proposals. Although it is very likely that state endorsements will qualify for 'points' on a given proposal.
If you are wondering what other aspects of a proposal the 'point scoring' might consider, sources are informing us to simply read the legislation. Access to consumers in unserved areas and improved access to underserved areas will be key; however, the latter are only one of many criteria that will need to be met. There will be emphasis on Anchor Institutions and economic impact as well.
In the same keynote address, Mark Seifert voiced his concern that the NTIA has to move quickly, because the program is ultimately about the Recovery Act. He went on to say that the NTIA is committed to making sure the program is right for the immediate needs of "main street," but that the program must have a long term view and it must be successful.
It should come as a boon to the greater Merit Network community that the NTIA has received the new Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition favorably. It is believed that the Coalition will add some volition to the push to supply schools, libraries, health care facilities, institutions of higher learning and public safety organizations across the country with 21st century broadband connectivity.
It will soon be officially announced that Merit Network has joined the growing 39-member Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition. Merit is proud to align itself with the critical mission of the Coalition and is looking forward to working and supporting the dynamic membership.
You will find a new heading on Merit's Stimulus Legislation Guide with SHLC documentation. The Stimulus Legislation Guide is host to a wealth of helpful material and links to other ARRA programs related to cyber-infrastructure, research and education. Be sure to check back periodically throughout the week for the latest information as it becomes available.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
|
|
|
Blog Archive
|
|
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 11.16.09
By Gregory Monroe - November 16, 2009 9:50 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 11.12.09
By Gregory Monroe - November 12, 2009 12:35 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 11.3.09
By Gregory Monroe - November 03, 2009 12:21 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 10.30
By Brian Warkoczeski - October 29, 2009 4:28 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 10.26.09
By Gregory Monroe - October 26, 2009 10:42 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 10.19.09
By Gregory Monroe - October 19, 2009 10:58 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 10.08
By Brian Warkoczeski - October 08, 2009 1:03 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 10.6.09
By Gregory Monroe - October 06, 2009 1:19 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 9.29.09
By Gregory Monroe - September 29, 2009 12:33 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 9.21.09
By Gregory Monroe - September 21, 2009 12:35 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 9.16.09
By Gregory Monroe - September 16, 2009 12:41 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 9.8.09
By Gregory Monroe - September 08, 2009 11:25 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 8.24.09
By Gregory Monroe - August 24, 2009 10:36 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 8.17.09
By Gregory Monroe - August 17, 2009 12:09 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 8.14
By Brian Warkoczeski - August 14, 2009 9:14 am
|
Professional Learning
MJTS Call for Presentations
By Brian Warkoczeski - August 06, 2009 12:53 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Members in the News 7.24
By Brian Warkoczeski - July 24, 2009 12:47 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 7.21.09
By Gregory Monroe - July 21, 2009 11:29 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 7.16
By Brian Warkoczeski - July 16, 2009 11:05 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 7.13.09
By Gregory Monroe - July 13, 2009 11:06 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 7.7.09
By Gregory Monroe - July 07, 2009 11:19 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 7.2.09
By Gregory Monroe - July 02, 2009 11:55 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 6.30
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 30, 2009 4:20 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
NANOG46 Videos Available
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 25, 2009 9:31 am
|
Professional Learning
Archived Merit Member Conference videos now available
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 17, 2009 9:43 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 6.15.09
By Gregory Monroe - June 15, 2009 11:41 am
|
Professional Learning
Merit Member Conference Concludes
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 12, 2009 3:57 pm
|
Professional Learning
Day Two of Merit Member Conference Begins
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 12, 2009 10:32 am
|
Professional Learning
Dale Dougherty Brings Ingenuity to Merit Member Conference
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 11, 2009 2:47 pm
|
Professional Learning
Merit Member Conference Extra! CEO and President Don Welch Announces Landmark Agreement with Internet2
By Gregory Monroe - June 11, 2009 1:51 pm
|
Professional Learning
Richard Katz starts 2009 Merit Member Conference
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 11, 2009 10:47 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 6.8.09
By Gregory Monroe - June 08, 2009 11:52 am
|
Merit Network Blog
New White Paper on Botnets Released
By Brian Warkoczeski - June 03, 2009 4:40 pm
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Merit Stimulus Blog 6.1.09
By Gregory Monroe - June 01, 2009 12:56 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 5.29
By Brian Warkoczeski - May 29, 2009 11:42 am
|
Merit Stimulus Blog
Introducing Merit Stimulus Blog
By Gregory Monroe - May 26, 2009 12:56 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 5.18
By Brian Warkoczeski - May 18, 2009 4:14 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
New RSS Feeds Available
By Brian Warkoczeski - May 14, 2009 10:02 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 5.8
By Brian Warkoczeski - May 08, 2009 9:44 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 4.30
By Brian Warkoczeski - April 30, 2009 3:41 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
MJTS video archive now available
By Brian Warkoczeski - April 23, 2009 2:02 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 4.17
By Brian Warkoczeski - April 17, 2009 11:33 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 4.9
By Brian Warkoczeski - April 09, 2009 3:33 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 4.2
By Brian Warkoczeski - April 02, 2009 10:08 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Informative Mailing Lists
By Brian Warkoczeski - March 30, 2009 11:26 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 3.24
By Brian Warkoczeski - March 24, 2009 8:28 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Stimulus Legislation Information
By Brian Warkoczeski - March 17, 2009 8:44 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 3.11
By Brian Warkoczeski - March 11, 2009 10:46 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 3.3
By Brian Warkoczeski - March 02, 2009 4:51 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 2.23
By Brian Warkoczeski - February 23, 2009 11:25 am
|
Merit Network Blog
NANOG45 Presentations Available Online
By Brian Warkoczeski - February 16, 2009 1:47 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Members in the News 2.12
By Brian Warkoczeski - February 12, 2009 10:44 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Featured Speakers for Merit Member Conference
By Brian Warkoczeski - February 02, 2009 4:34 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Merit Services Webinar
By Brian Warkoczeski - January 29, 2009 4:16 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Technology issues part of first week for new President
By Brian Warkoczeski - January 23, 2009 12:28 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Merit Services Seminar Videos
By Brian Warkoczeski - January 05, 2009 9:56 am
|
Merit Network Blog
E-Rate Application Window
By Brian Warkoczeski - December 02, 2008 8:19 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Tracking Flu Outbreaks Online
By Brian Warkoczeski - November 13, 2008 10:10 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Is Web technology improving your brain?
By Brian Warkoczeski - October 27, 2008 4:15 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
IP V6
By Donald J. Welch - October 17, 2008 12:53 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
PBS and YouTube Aim to Document Election Day
By Brian Warkoczeski - October 16, 2008 10:01 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Justice Department Releases Cybercrime Survey Results
By Brian Warkoczeski - September 23, 2008 4:54 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
Internet Traffic Growth Slowing World-Wide, But Utilization Up in U.S.
By Donald J. Welch - September 08, 2008 9:50 am
|
Merit Network Blog
NANOG Launches New Web Site
By Brian Warkoczeski - September 08, 2008 8:51 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Price War Erupts for High-Speed Internet Home Service
By Donald J. Welch - September 02, 2008 10:58 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Manage It or Just Buy More
By Donald J. Welch - August 28, 2008 8:49 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Net Neutrality vs. File Sharing on Campus
By Donald J. Welch - August 25, 2008 10:13 am
|
Merit Network Blog
Thinking About Virtual Worlds
By Donald J. Welch - August 25, 2008 9:40 am
|
Merit Network Blog
What is Merit?
By Donald J. Welch - August 20, 2008 4:33 pm
|
Merit Network Blog
New Merit Network Blogs
By Brian Warkoczeski - August 18, 2008 9:56 am
|
|
|
