SUMMARY
The Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, modeled after the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot, will evaluate the effectiveness of using Universal Service Funding to support cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data to determine whether to fund them permanently.
Examples of eligible services and equipment include:
- advanced/next-generation firewalls;
- endpoint protection;
- identity protection and authentication;
- and monitoring, detection, and response
A total of $200 million is available in one-time funding. The results of the pilot program may impact the future of E-Rate funding.
DEADLINE
Phase one applications were due on November 1, 2024. If selected, applicants will move on to phase two applications. The application window for phase two will be announced at a later date.
On January 16, 2025, the FCC announced in a public notice selected participants for this program. These selected participants will be required to submit detailed information about their cybersecurity needs in their phase two applications once they become available. The following steps will be to initiate a competitive bidding process to choose a service provider, request specific cybersecurity services and equipment, and submit requests for reimbursement once services and equipment are delivered.
A full list of selected participants may be viewed here: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/cybersecurity-pilot-program-participants.xlsx.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants include schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries (e.g., regional or statewide groups of schools or libraries that jointly apply for the Pilot Program) that meet the E-Rate program’s eligibility requirements.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
https://www.fcc.gov/cybersecurity-pilot-program