Applicant Process
The Cybersecurity Pilot Program application, or FCC Form 484 Part One, will open this fall. Follow the steps below to prepare.
- Evaluate your school or library’s cybersecurity needs:
- Set goals and objectives for participation
- Identify risks the Pilot Program can help address
- Determine cybersecurity experience and expertise
- Identify designated cybersecurity officer or senior staff member
- Catalogue services and equipment to be purchased
- Confirm your eligibility to participate. The Pilot Eligible Services List (P-ESL) contains a non-exhaustive list of the types of eligible services and equipment, including:
- Advanced/next generation firewalls
- Endpoint protection
- Identity protection and authentication
- Monitoring, detection and response
- Obtain or confirm that the necessary registrations are up to date:
- FCC Registration Number (FRN)
- USAC Billed Entity Number (BEN)
- E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) User Registration
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Confirm your eligibility for payment:
Once the FCC Form 484 Part One filing window has closed, the FCC will select pilot participants and announce awardees in a Public Notice. To facilitate the inclusion of a diverse set of Pilot projects and to target Pilot funds to the populations most in need of cybersecurity support, the FCC will award support to a combination of large and small and urban and rural schools, libraries, and consortia, with an emphasis on funding proposed Pilot projects that include low-income and Tribal applicants. The selected participants will then complete the FCC Form 484 Part Two.
The Pilot Program will follow processes established in E-Rate program. Participants will complete the competitive bidding process to solicit bids and procure the requested cybersecurity services and equipment, unless subject to a competitive bidding exemption. After participants submit requests for services and equipment, they will receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) approving or denying your funding requests. Participants and service providers may submit requests for reimbursement from the Pilot Program after services or equipment are delivered.