Next Generation Warning System Grant Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Collecting information via a survey of each targeted station’s technology, equipment, and training needs; and
Assessing IPAWS data regarding alerting activity, and cell phone coverage in rural, tribal, and underserved areas.
Program Objective
Objectives
To have in place a public alert and warning system that provides timely and effective warnings using the latest broadcast technology standards, especially including areas that are traditionally underserved by broadcast providers. Specifically, this NGWSGP grant seeks to:
• Enhance capacity of local broadcast stations to receive, broadcast, and redistribute emergency alert messages from the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System using IPAWS Specification for Common Alerting Protocol (CAP);
• Implement upgrades to the NEXTGEN TV ATSC3 broadcast standard;
• Enhance technology infrastructure to ensure local public broadcast stations can launch new, enhanced broadcast services, that improve and expand the distribution of public alerts and warnings; and
• Expand the delivery and distribution of emergency alert messages from IPAWS to fill gaps in alert and warning delivery to people in underserved areas.
Performance Measures:
• Percent increase in public television stations that are capable of broadcasting Integrated Public Alert and Warning System alerts.
• Percent increase in public radio stations that are capable of broadcasting Integrated Public Alert and Warning System alerts.
• The number of broadcast entities that replaced emergency generators that were at or near the end of their lifecycle.
• The number of public broadcasting staff members trained in ATSC 3.0 (or related digital broadcast technologies) and station resilience.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Sponsored organization
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting as defined in 47 U.S.C. 397(11)
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing.
Award Procedure
Refer to the NOFO for this program for a description of the award procedure. The NOFO can be accessed at https://www.grants.gov.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 09/15/2023
Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/29/2023
Program details & compliance
Description
The Next Generation Warning System Program (NGWSP) is funded under the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), and enables the public broadcasting system to adopt emerging digital broadcast technology and standards to improve and expand the distribution of public alerts and warnings to people and ensure resilience. In addition, public broadcasting entities enhance their capacity to receive, broadcast, and redistribute emergency alerts in Common Alerting Protocol format retrieved from the IPAWS. The NGWSP fills gaps in delivery of emergency messages to underserved communities and ensure the public has access to critical information regarding threats to public safety. The NGWSP enables public stations to deliver and distribute emergency alerts from public safety officials to people and appliances with accessible media and content including user selectable languages, pictures, evacuation routes, in accessible message formats.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Communications/Civil Defense/Disaster Prevention and Relief/Emergency Preparedness
Required Documentation
The only eligible applicant is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements