FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) : UPDATE FOR DECEMBER 1994
                                       
  TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TIIAP)
  
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: What is TIIAP?
   
   A: The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance
   Program (TIIAP) is a new program at the Department of Commerce that
   provides matching grants to state and local governments, health care
   providers, school districts, libraries, universities, community
   organizations, public safety services, and other non-profit entities
   to help them access and use new telecommunications technologies
   effectively. Grants are awarded based on a competitive merit review
   process. TIIAP completed its first grant round in 1994.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: What happened during TIIAP's first grant round?
   
   A: TIIAP's 1994 award round elicited a very strong response, receiving
   over 1,070 applications from 50 states, the District of Columbia and
   several territories; requests totalled more than $560 million in
   assistance funds. The TIIAP grants awarded a total of $24.4 million to
   92 projects in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin
   Islands. Information about the 1994 awards is available on-line and by
   request, and copies of successful applications will be made available
   in early 1995.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: What are TIIAP's plans for 1995?
   
   A: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration
   (NTIA) will conduct the second grant round of the TIIAP program in
   1995. The total FY95 appropriation for TIIAP and related activities is
   $64 million. The program announcement and application package will be
   issued in early 1995, and the deadline for application will be in
   early spring. Prospective applicants can contact TIIAP for technical
   assistance with concrete project ideas after they have read the
   announcement.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: Who is eligible to apply in 1995?
   
   A: State and local governments, as well as all non-profit and public
   sector institutions, are eligible to apply. The 1995 competition is
   independent of the 1994 competition. Applicants, including award
   recipients, from the 1994 grant round are welcome to apply.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: How does TIIAP evaluate applications?
   
   A: Applications are thoroughly reviewed by expert panels drawn from
   the groups that TIIAP serves, such as educators, public officials,
   library professionals, telecommunications professionals and health
   professionals. Panelists are selected for their technical and
   professional expertise, and geographic and ethnic diversity are taken
   into account.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: How can I learn more about TIIAP?
   
   A: Check out our on-line resources, call us, or e-mail us to request
   printed materials. TIIAP will be holding a series of regional outreach
   meetings in key locations across the United States during February and
   March 1995. TIIAP staff will also speak at professional conferences
   and meetings by request. A schedule of events will be available
   on-line by January 31, 1995.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: What information is available from TIIAP now?
   
   A: TIIAP can provide the 1994 Notice of Availability and the list of
   1994 awards, as well as a document providing short summaries of each
   project along with contact information to reach our grantees. Copies
   of successful 1994 grant applications will be made available in early
   1995.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: Can I pick up TIIAP updates electronically?
   
   A: Yes! Download them from our bulletin board, ftp and gopher servers,
   or request them via e-mail ("tiiap@ntia.doc.gov" on Internet).
   
   To reach the ftp server from the Internet: ftp to iitf.doc.gov and
   change to the /pub/grantinfo directory
   
   or ftp to ftp.ntia.doc.gov, and change to the /grantinfo directory
   (login as anonymous - password is your e-mail address).
   
   To reach the gopher servers, point your gopher client to either
   iitf.doc.gov or gopher.ntia.doc.gov (login as gopher).
   
   To reach the bulletin board, call (202) 482-1199 (modem should be set
   at no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and speed up to 14.4 Kbps)
   
   or telnet to ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: How do I reach TIIAP by mail or telephone?
   
   A: Write to us at:
   

Laura Breeden, Director of TIIAP
Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce, Rm 6043
14th St. and Constitution Ave, NW
Washington D.C.  20230

   or call us at: (202) 482-2048
   
    or fax us at: (202) 501-5136
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Q: How do you pronounce "TIIAP"?
   
   A: It's "tee-op". Rhymes with "doo-wop."
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Return to TIIAP's Home Page
     _________________________________________________________________