Connected & Online Program

Connected Online Logo

The Connected & Online Program, launched in 2025, is an initiative that will distribute 32,000+ internet-enabled devices, along with assistive technology and supportive equipment, to eligible organizations across Massachusetts. The goal of the program is to expand access to education, workforce training and telehealth by establishing public device lending programs and on-site device stations, especially in Gateway Cities and rural communities. Devices will be fully loaded with software, selected accessories and warranties at no cost to awardees. Funding is provided by the U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund (CPF).

The program channels a combined $28.5 million in Capital Projects Fund resources, $25.29 million for fleets of internet connected devices and $2.80 million for supporting equipment, into a statewide effort to close Massachusetts’ device gap. Under the leadership of the Executive Office of Economic Development (the federal recipient) and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (the implementing subrecipient), the program will procure and deploy up to 35,000+ laptops, tablets, desktops and ancillary equipment over a 12-month period. 

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The map depicts primary grant recipients for the Connected & Online Program Rounds 1 and 2. Please contact the organization per the listed website or phone number for additional information on device availability and locations.

Grantee Resources

Grantees are required to submit quarterly reporting, inclusive of an inventory narrative (i.e. devices in circulation, usage counts, device impacts, lost/retired units). Grantees must also submit an end-of-program report documenting outcomes, challenges and success stories. 

All Connected & Online grantees were required to attend the Reporting Training. Training recordings are available and based on award rounds.

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Quarterly and annual reporting is due based on the following schedule.

 Round 1 GranteesRound 2 Grantees
First Report DueJune 22, 2026None Required
Second Report DueSeptember 21, 2026September 21, 2026
Final Report DueJanuary 25, 2027January 25, 2027

Grantees will receive a calendar invite to their designated point of contact with an Airtable link to use for each required report. Please contact broadband@masstech.org if you require assistance.

Connected & Online grantees may utilize the following materials to promote their program. Materials may be downloaded and customized. Templates are set for legal- and letter-sized paper.

  • Poster Template - 8.5" x 14" - PowerPoint
  • Poster Template - 8.5" x 11" - PowerPoint

Grantees must receive permission from MassTech to utilize the MBI logo and branding. Please contact broadband@masstech.org if you require assistance.

The Massachusetts AI Hub and Google have joined forces to unlock new opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth. Visit the AI Hub's webpage to learn more about AI online training at no-cost to Massachusetts residents.

Learn More

About the Program

Per U.S. Treasury CPF guidelines, the Connected & Online Program will only fund projects that enable public access to device that expand access work, education and health monitoring.  

Therefore, all proposed projects must demonstrate how they will enable individuals to access across all three of these domains.

  • Workforce Development: Equipped career hubs or public spaces allow for jobseekers to build skills that support them in crafting résumés, complete online training, apply for jobs and pursue remote work.
  • Education: Supply libraries, schools and learning centers with devices that strengthen participation of individuals to complete virtual coursework, homework help, adult education and digital literacy training for the public.
  • Health Monitoring & Access: Provide devices for telehealth visits, patient portal navigation, accessing health information and supporting remote patient monitoring programs. "Health monitoring" is defined as enabling a public user to expand their access to telehealth needs (e.g., conduct a doctor’s appointment or complete medical paperwork).  

Round 1 of Connected & Online was completed in the fall of 2025. Round 2 of Connected & Online was completed in the spring of 2026.

Applications for the Connected & Online Program Rounds 1 and 2 are closed. Read below for information about the program’s application process.

As part of the awardee's contract, organizations will agree to the following terms of the program:

Public Benefit & Use Certification: All equipment will be used to support public access to education, workforce development and health care services and will not be used for internal-only administrative purposes.  

  • Deployment & Use Timeline: Devices will be deployed within three months of contract execution. 
  • Ownership & Transfer Restrictions: The awardee will retain ownership and is responsible for managing the fleet of all devices through the program's lifecycle ending Wednesday, December 31, 2026. This does not preclude the lending of devices to individuals. Following the program's completion, the grantee must retain ownership for at least five years, until Wednesday, December 31, 2031. Devices may not be resold or transferred without written approval from MBI. 
  • Federal Compliance & Reporting: The awardee will comply with all Treasury Capital Projects Fund guidance and participate in all reporting activities, including: 
    • Quarterly Inventory Narrative: Detailing devices in circulation, usage counts and lost/retired units. 
    • Program Impact Report: Highlighting community impact, submitted by Wednesday, December 31, 2026. 
    • Close-Out Package: An Asset Disposition Log documenting any devices refurbished, donated or responsibly recycled.  

Application Evaluation Framework  

  • Prerequisite for Scoring: Before scoring, applications will be reviewed for completeness. Any application that does not demonstrate how the project will enable public access across all three required domains work, education, and health monitoring will be deemed ineligible and will not be scored.  
  • Main Application Score: Evaluated across five categories totaling 100 points. A minimum score of 50 points (excluding bonus points) is required for award consideration.  
  • Bonus Points: Up to 20 bonus points may be awarded.  
    • Maximum Score: 120 points.  
    • Ancillary Score: The Ancillary Equipment request is scored separately out of a maximum of 50 points.  

Scoring Criteria & Bonus Points – Main Application

  • Scoring Criteria (max 100 points)
    • Project Impact (20 points)  
    • Feasibility and Readiness (20 points)  
    • Community Engagement and Public Accessibility (20 points)  
    • Equipment Effectiveness and Program Alignment (20 points)
    • Monitoring and Evaluation (20 points)  
  • Bonus Points (max 20 points)
    • Project is located in a Gateway City or state-designated rural community (+5)  
    • Serves ≥ 75% Treasury-defined impacted households (+5)  
    • Integrates digital skills training or Lifeline/ACP enrollment support (+5)  
    • Commits to refurbish, donate or responsibly recycle displaced devices (+5)  

Scoring Criteria & Bonus Points – Ancillary Equipment

  • Scoring Criteria (max 40 points)
    • Public access or integration readiness (10 points)
    • Organizational experience (10 points)
    • Operational readiness (10 points)
    • Empowerment-centered implementation (10 points)
  • Bonus Points (max 10 points)
    • Project is led by or directly serves an FQHC, CHC or Disability-Service Organization requesting assistive or remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology (+10)

Connected & Online Device Program – Scoring Rubric

Main Device Rubric (120 Points)

CATEGORY HIGHEST SCORE 
(20 PTS) 		MEDIUM SCORE
 (10 PTS)  		LOW SCORE 
(5 PTS) 		LOWEST SCORE 
(0 PTS) 
1. Project Impact The project will enable access to devices that support education, workforce, and telehealth programs. Benefits are clearly defined and tailored to high-need populations. The project will enable access to devices that support education, workforce and telehealth programs, but response lacks information and/or only articulates clearly benefits or relevance to high-needs populations. This project will enable access to devices that support education, workforce and telehealth programs, but response lacks specific information or clarity regarding benefits and relevance to high needs populations.The project will enable access to devices that support education, workforce and telehealth programs, but response does not define project benefits or relevance to high need populations.  
2. Feasibility & Readiness Applicant presents a clear implementation and sustainability plan for ongoing operations with timeline, partnerships and staff capacity. Project is feasible with minor gaps in readiness. Feasibility is unclear or relies on unconfirmed partnerships. Project is not feasible as presented. 
3. Community Engagement & Public Accessibility Strong public outreach, with detailed plans for reaching underserved communities and ensuring public access to devices. Minimal outreach described; public accessibility is addressed but minimal. Weak engagement or unclear if the project is accessible to the public. No evidence of engagement or public accessibility. 
4. Equipment Effectiveness & Program Alignment Equipment request is clear, justified, and maximizes community impact while fulfilling program goals.  Equipment request is somewhat aligned with project goals.  Equipment request is vague or misaligned with stated outcomes.  Equipment request is unjustified.  
5. Monitoring & Evaluation Strong measurement framework with clear outputs and outcomes linked to digital inclusion goals. Some metrics described; long-term outcomes are unclear. Monitoring is limited or lacks structure. No evaluation or measurement plan described

BONUS CATEGORY (Max 20 points) 

POINTS 

Project is located in a Gateway City or State-designated rural community +5
Serves ≥ 75% Treasury-defined impacted households +5
Integrates digital skills training or Lifeline/ACP enrollment support+5
Commits to refurbish, donate or responsibly recycle displaced/upgraded devices +5

Total Possible Score: 100 Points + 20 Bonus points

120

ANCILLARY CATEGORY FULL SCORE 
(10 PTS) 		PARTIAL 
(5 PTS)		NONE 
(0 PTS) 
1. Public Access or Integration Readiness Equipment clearly complements device use and promotes digital access. Partial alignment with device integration goals. No demonstrated connection. 
2. Organizational Experience Applicant has a strong track record in relevant sectors (workforce, education, health). Moderate experience. No relevant experience. 
3. Operational Readiness Strong staffing, infrastructure and deployment plan in place. Some elements of readiness are addressed. No plan or capacity detailed. 
4. Empowerment-Centered Implementation Equipment use directly reduces barriers for underserved groups (e.g., disabled, LEP, rural, elderly). Some barrier reduction focus mentioned. No barrier reduction focus mentioned.