Texas Digital Navigators Grant Program

About the Texas Digital Navigators Grant Program

The Texas Digital Navigators Grant Program will help libraries to develop and implement a unique Digital Navigator program to close the digital divide in their area in a measurable way. Digital Navigators are individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process — home connectivity, devices, and digital skills — with community members through repeated interactions.

Libraries that are awarded the Digital Navigators grant will receive:

• full funding to hire navigators and purchase necessary devices
• digital equity training from national experts
• support from a community of practice
• assistance with collecting and communicating the results of their project to other library staff, stakeholders, and funders.

Selected libraries will be asked to identify a trusted community partner to work with on the Digital Navigator program.

Please email Cindy Fisher cfisher@tsl.texas.gov for general questions. For questions regarding eligiblity, please email the Grants Administrator at grants@tsl.texas.gov.

Step 1: Prepare

• Download and read the following document:
  • Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Texas Digital Navigators
    • Inside, you will find information on eligibility requirements as well as a scoring matrix that will provide guidance on the best information to include in your application to ensure the best scoring outcome.
       
• Make sure you have an active login for the Grants Management System (GMS). If you do not have an account with the Texas State Library & Archives Commission Grants Management System, please contact the Grants Adminstrator, at grants@tsl.texas.gov.

Step 2: Review

The questions below are  the questions you will be asked to answer on the Texas Digital Navigators grant application. Pay specific attention to the rubric on pages 8-9 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity to see how your responses will be scored.

1. Needs Assessment:

Provide details about the community you serve, including information about vulnerable community members. Describe identified community needs related to digital inclusion, Internet access, or digital literacy that could be addressed by a Digital Navigators project.

Use the TSLAC Community Profile Data worksheet (.docx) to find demographic information, computer and internet usage statistics and assistance identifying potential community partners for this project.

2. Project Purpose:

Describe how you might implement a Digital Navigator project and how it would meet the needs of vulnerable community members described in the response to question 1.

• Describe why this project is a good fit for your community.
• Describe who you might partner with to implement your project.
• Describe specific population(s) you would assist with your project.

3. Sustainability:

Provide details about the support you will have to implement and maintain this project.

• Describe the financial and managerial resources that will be used to support the Digital Navigators project beyond the end of the grant.
• Describe the library’s existing and potential partnerships that would support this project
• Describe how this project aligns with the library’s mission.

4. Personnel: 

• Provide details about who will participate in the Digital Navigator project.
• Identify who will attend the training and participate in the Digital Navigators project.
• Describe why they are a good fit for this project.

Step 3: Apply

• You may apply through the TSLAC Grant Management System (GMS) or by email or mail by completing  this fillable PDF APPLICATION.
   
• Write your responses to the grant application questions in a word processing program (Microsoft Word, etc) then copy-paste them into the fields in the GMS.
   
• Build time into your schedule to collect the appropriate signature on the Grant Application Certification Form. We understand that these signatures may prove difficult to obtain given the present situation. We are willing to work with you if you let us know you may run into difficulties with this task. 

 FAQ: Grant Application Process

How do I get set-up in GMS or make changes to my current GMS account?

If you need a GMS account or need to make changes to an existing GMS account, please fill out THIS FORM and email it to grants@tsl.texas.gov with your request. Someone will contact you with further information concerning your request. 

How do I submit my grant application? 

Grant applications and required documents can be submited electronically, using:

• TSLAC's grant managment system (GMS). TSLAC uses a grant management system or GMS that enables applicants to apply for grants electronically through a web portal at Home - TSLAC (texas.gov)
• By email. Email application and required documents to the TSLAC Grant Administrator, via email at grants@tsl.texas.gov. The e-mail should reference “Texas Digital Navigators Grant” in the subject line. 
• By mail. Mail submissions must be postmarked by October 1, 2021. Please send mail submissions to: 

Texas Digital Navigators Grant
Texas State Library and Archives Commision
Library Development & Networking Division
PO Box 12927
Austin, Texas 78701

What needs to be in my grant application? 

The grant application consists of the following components:

1.     Application Certification Form signed by appropriate signing authority.
2.     Program narrative and budget.
3.     Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) certification form .

Before submitting an application, the applicant organization must have a current and active D-U-N-S® Number. Information on how to obtain a DUNS number may be found on D&B’s website. Obtaining a DUNS number is free.

Where can I find the Grant Application Certification Form in GMS? 

Your Grant Application Certification Form is located within your GMS application. It is pre-populated with your information as you fill out your application. Below is a screenshot of where you can locate your Grant Application Certfication Form within your GMS application. Print it out, have it signed by your governing authority, and upload it to your grant application in GMS as a note.

  

What is a CIPA form and where can I find one?

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the internet. Compliance with CIPA is a requirement for libraries using TSLAC grant funding to provide access to the internet. 

• Read more about the Children's Internet Protection Act and what you must do to comply with it here:  Federal Communications Commission - CIPA
•  A completed CIPA form is a required docuement for all TSLAC grant applications regardless of how you plan to utilize grant funds. 
  •  CIPA Form, self-signed (Word Doc)

Who can submit the grant for the library? 

Any individual authorized to use GMS and having the correct security role will be able to submit the application in GMS. Applicants will be required to submit the signed application certification form. The application certification form must be signed by an individual authorized to enter into contracts with the State of Texas (e.g., county judge, city manager, etc.).