The Digital Opportunity Department (DOD) is working for all South Carolinians to have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet and the necessary skills to benefit from this technology.
The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff is home to both the Digital Opportunity Department (DOD) and the Broadband Office. This arrangement allows the DOD to closely coordinate efforts in access, adoption, and use of highspeed broadband internet. Through the Digital Equity Act Grant Program, the DOD is working to develop and implement the South Carolina Digital Opportunity Plan (DO Plan). The DO Plan will promote opportunities to educate South Carolinians on how broadband access and adoption can enhance the state’s workforce and individuals' lives.
The DO Plan was approved by the NTIA on April 2, 2024, as part of the State Digital Equity Planning Grant. You can view the most recent version of the DO Plan here.
The Digital Workforce Initiative
The DOD designed the Digital Workforce Initiative to implement the Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant administered by NTIA. Areas of focus include:
- Digital Navigator: Funding will be awarded to a single organization, or organizations, to implement a digital navigator program at a statewide level and focused on utilization of telehealth.
- Device Recycling: Funding will be awarded to a single organization, or organizations, to implement a device recycling workforce training type program that distributes the refurbished devices statewide at a low-cost, increasing access to technology.
- Digital Education Learning and Literacy: Funding will be awarded to a single organization, or organizations, to implement a statewide certification and apprenticeship programs, or other similar programs, to prepare a digital workforce ready to support the development of broadband related infrastructure and adoption.
- SecureSC: DOD will implement a media campaign promoting best practices for cybersecurity and digital access for both the citizens of SC and its government.
The Digital Opportunity Department announces the Digital Workforce Initiative Notice of Funding Opportunity. As of April 22, 2025, the Digital Opportunity Department has released the official Notice of Funding Opportunity, along with grant application materials. The grant application will open May 1, 2025, and close on May 16, 2025. Only digital submissions will be accepted. The grant portal will be available here on May 1, 2025. All awards are conditional until reviewed and approved by the NTIA prior to project start and disbursement of funds.
- Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Application Preview
- Grant Agreement Preview
- Budget Proposal Template Preview
*Documents are subject to change prior to application open period.*