The National Telecommunications and Information Administration within the Department of Commerce accepted 127 applications requesting funding from the $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.
Applicants sought $146 million for research and development projects related to interoperable and open wireless networks and $1.2 billion for testing and evaluation work, NTIA said Friday.
The Wireless Innovation Fund is a 10-year grant program funded under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and authorized under the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The fund seeks to advance the development of interoperable and standards-based networks.
Alan Davidson, administrator of NTIA and the department’s assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information, said the fund was envisioned to address the need to improve the resilience, security and diversity of the wireless equipment market.
“The overwhelming interest in this first round of funding shows the private sector is stepping up to meet that need. These are the important first steps in this critical project to help us drive competition, strengthen our supply chain, and provide our allies additional trusted, innovative choices,” expanded Davidson.
Up to $140.5 million will be made available under the first funding round. NTIA will assess the applications and announce the initial awards in August.
