Grants for improvement of broadband, technology, media, and sports broadcast infrastructure of HBCUs

(a) In general (1) Grants authorized The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall award grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to support long-term improvements to broadband, information technology, media infrastructure, including infrastructure for the production, transmission, and distribution of live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, and local journalism for student learning. (2) Grant period With respect to each eligible entity that is awarded a grant under this section, such grant shall be for a period determined appropriate by the Assistant Secretary based on the information submitted by such entity under subsection (b) that is not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years. (3) Multiple grants permitted An eligible entity may apply for, and be awarded, more than 1 grant under this section. (b) Application To be considered for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary that includes— (1) to the extent possible, the information necessary for the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, to make the determinations under subsection (c); (2) a description of the projects that such eligible entity plans to carry out with the grant and how such projects will advance the long-term goals of the entity; (3) an assessment of the broadband service available on the campus of the eligible entity, and to the students of the eligible entity, as of the date of the application; (4) an explanation of— (A) how such investments in broadband, information technology, and media production, including sports media and live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, and local journalism at such eligible entity will promote and advance educational opportunities; and (B) the anticipated number of years that any facilities constructed, improved, or replaced under such projects may be used to facilitate the opportunities and investments described in subparagraph (A); (5) the median age of the facilities that such entity plans to improve or replace under such projects, if existing and applicable; (6) if the eligible entity proposes a project described in paragraph (2) or (4) of section 303(a), a description of how the project will expand the capacity of the eligible entity to produce, transmit, or distribute live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, including events in women’s sports and Olympic sports, and, as applicable, to make such live coverage available in the local market of the entity as well as for digital distribution; and (7) if relevant to the application— (A) baseline measurements as of the date of the application, in the form prescribed by the Assistant Secretary, of— (i) available network capacity and average and peak utilization over the preceding 12 months; and (ii) the number and percentage of enrolled students who lack access to broadband, and the methodology used to determine that figure; and (B) for each baseline measurement submitted under subparagraph (A), a specific, numerical target the entity commits to achieve by the end of the grant period, and the date by which each target will be met. (c) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary— (1) shall give priority to an eligible entity that— (A) demonstrates the greatest need to improve campus broadband and information technology infrastructure, as determined by a comparison of factors identified by the Assistant Secretary, which may include— (i) the availability, capacity, and condition of broadband service and network infrastructure on the campus of the eligible entity; (ii) the median age of the network and information technology infrastructure that the entity will use grant funds to improve; (iii) the extent to which student enrollment and instructional demands exceed existing network capacity; and (iv) the total amount of deferred maintenance of the network and information technology infrastructure of the entity; (B) demonstrates the most limited capacity to raise funds for the long-term improvement of campus broadband and information technology infrastructure, as determined by an assessment of— (i) the current and historic ability of the eligible entity to raise funds for construction, renovation, modernization, and major repair projects for campus; (ii) whether the eligible entity has been able to issue bonds or receive other funds to support school construction projects; (iii) the bond rating of the eligible entity; (iv) the number of students enrolled as of the date on which the application is submitted; (v) the total value of the endowment of the eligible entity as of the date on which the application is submitted; (vi) the total amount of deferred maintenance of such infrastructure; and (vii) the amount and sources of institutional revenue; (C) enrolls the highest percentages of students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.), and whose families qualify for other Federal need-based aid; (D) is a public institution that— (i) faces declining State support or investment; and (ii) demonstrates limited ability to generate revenue, as determined by assessing— (I) the total value of the endowment of the institution as of the date on which the application is submitted; and (II) the costs of the deferred maintenance of the institution relative to the total revenue of the institution; (E) demonstrates an effort to seek support from public and private entities for projects carried out with a grant awarded under this title; and (F) proposes a project with the lowest total cost per student projected to be served, taking into account short-term and long-term costs of the project, cost differentials between geographical regions, and other key cost drivers over the lifetime of the project, and demonstrates how those factors contribute to overall cost efficiency; and (2) may give priority to an eligible entity— (A) that did not receive a grant under this title in the preceding fiscal year; (B) that proposes projects aligned with long-term infrastructure priorities that— (i) serve as regional models, as determined by the Secretary; (ii) address multiple needs on the campus of the entity; or (iii) address the needs of at least 1 eligible entity in addition to the entity receiving the grant; (C) that is a member of an HBCU athletic conference; (D) that commits to using the facilities and equipment funded under the grant to produce or distribute live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events in women’s sports and Olympic sports; or (E) that has entered into, or demonstrates plans to enter into, a partnership, licensing arrangement, or distribution agreement with a covered entity, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic association, or a video programming distributor with respect to media rights to intercollegiate athletic events of the eligible entity. (d) Geographic distribution In evaluating applications receiving equivalent scores under the criteria published under subsection (f)(2), the Assistant Secretary may consider the geographic distribution of eligible entities in the United States. (e) Technical assistance The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare the entities to qualify for, apply for, and maintain a grant under this title. (f) Program accountability (1) Public input Not later than 120 days after the date on which amounts are first appropriated to carry out this title, the Assistant Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a request for public comment on the design and administration of the grant program under this title, with a comment period of not less than 45 days. (2) Program guidance Not later than 120 days after the close of the comment period under paragraph (1), and before accepting any application, the Assistant Secretary shall publish— (A) guidance for the grant program under this title, including all application requirements; (B) the criteria the Assistant Secretary will use to evaluate applications, including the numerical weight assigned to each criterion; and (C) the process and timeline for awarding grants. (3) No post hoc changes The Assistant Secretary shall endeavor to evaluate an application on the basis of the criteria and weights published under paragraph (2) that were in effect on the date on which the application window opened. (4) Publication of scores Not later than 30 days after awarding grants for a fiscal year, the Assistant Secretary shall make available to the appropriate congressional committees, for each grant awarded, the name of the recipient, the amount of the grant, and the score assigned to the recipient's application under each criterion published under paragraph (2).