Fiber Optic Connections and WLAN for Public Schools, Planned Hospitals and Town Halls (Fiber Optic/WLAN Guideline – GWLANR)

This funding is aimed at specific public institutions and local authorities in Bavaria that wish to invest in digital infrastructure. The support aims to improve broadband connectivity and WLAN availability in educational institutions, hospitals, and municipal administrative buildings, thereby promoting digitalization.

The program supports investments in the digital infrastructure of schools, hospitals, and town halls. This includes both the development of fiber optic lines and the establishment of WLAN infrastructures. Certain cost categories are eligible for funding, while others are excluded, and only projects in a specific development phase are supported.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant, the amount of which depends on the funding rate and certain maximum amounts. Different funding rates and maximum sums are set for fiber optic and WLAN projects, as well as for various recipient types, with de minimis thresholds also to be observed.

To receive funding, applicants must meet various requirements, including technical standards for the infrastructure, terms of use for BayernWLAN, and exclusion criteria for already existing or otherwise funded infrastructure. Premature project commencement is not permitted, and double funding for the same project is excluded.

The application for funding must be submitted with the required documents before the project commences. The granting authority, the Bavarian State Office for Digitization, Broadband and Surveying, reviews the applications and decides on the grant of the subsidy. Disbursement takes place after submission and review of the proof of use.

The funding program is based on the Fiber Optic/WLAN Guideline (GWLANR) of the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Regional Identity. This guideline sets out the specific provisions for the funding and refers to other general budgetary and administrative procedural regulations of the Free State of Bavaria.