The federal government has received more than 2,200 applications asking for $28 billion in stimulus funding for new broadband projects across the country.

The avalanche has eased concerns that there might not be much interest in the program, aimed at driving deployment of high-speed Internet access in underserved areas.

But the government has only $4 billion to dole out right now and just two weeks to decide which projects should be considered. The program, ordered by Congress, eventually will hand out $7.2 billion.

It is being overseen by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, and the Rural Utilities Service, or RUS.

NTIA says it plans to post brief summaries of proposals in the coming weeks.

One application seeks to run fiber-optic lines directly to homes in a rural community in Idaho; another is pitching a public computing center with the goal of educating people about the value of broadband in daily life.

Evaluating submissions could prove challenging. Applications can run 500 pages or more. The short timeline doesn’t help, said Paul Glenchur, a regulatory analyst at Potomac Research Group. It’s unclear “if the government can efficiently manage this program,” he said.

Tom Power, chief of staff at NTIA, said the agencies are prepared. “We’ve got to do it fast and do it right.”

According to NTIA, applications were submitted by a wide range of hopefuls, including state, local and tribal governments. Nonprofits, libraries, hospitals and public safety groups also applied. So did rural phone carriers.

Evaluations are being handled by a mix of government and nongovernment personnel, as well as outside consultants.

Both agencies are using volunteers to help out. Power said volunteers must sign a document stating they have no conflicts of interest, such as stock holdings, that could influence their judgment.