Applicant Process
Follow the steps below to get ready for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
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, and catalogue services and equipment to be purchased.
Identify the services and equipment your school or library might need. 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, including the FCC Registration Number (FRN), USAC Billed Entity Number (BEN), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) user registration. View the Navigate the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) tip sheet for more information about creating a new EPC user account, adding users to your account, and contacting the E-Rate Customer Service Center (CSC) in EPC. Watch the e-learning module at the bottom of this page to learn more about managing users in your EPC account.
Confirm your eligibility for payment, including FCC Red Light Status and U.S. Treasury Do Not Pay List.
Review other federal resources, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Education Cybersecurity Preparedness, and the FCC’s Cybersecurity Resource Recommendations Guide.
On January 16, 2025, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the schools, libraries, and consortia selected to participate in the Pilot Program. In the Public Notice, the FCC noted that the Pilot Program funding application filing window will run from March 18 – September 15, 2025.
The Pilot Program follows 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.
