Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation

The Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund will invest $1.5 billion in the development of open and interoperable networks. By demonstrating the viability of new, open-architecture approaches to wireless networks, this initial round of funding will help to ensure that the future of 5G and next-gen wireless technology is built by the US and its global allies and partners—not vendors from nations that threaten our national security. In line with feedback received through these processes, this  Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to expand and improve testing to demonstrate the viability of new approaches to wireless like open radio access networks (Open RAN), and remove barriers to adoption. The NTIA anticipates it will award up to $140.5 million during this first tranche of grants. The first round of awards will provide for a range of R&D and testing activities in this critical field, including: 

• Expanding industry-accepted testing and evaluation (T&E) activities to assess and facilitate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of open and interoperable, standards-based 5G radio access networks; and 
• Developing new or improved testing methodologies to test, evaluate, and validate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of these networks, including their component parts. 

Applications are due on June 2nd, 2023. NTIA will begin to award the first grants in August 2023