FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund Program: Resources, Training, and Application Window Announced

In addition to the USAC training sessions listed below, the Nebraska Library Commission held an ‘FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) – Overview and Q&A‘ webinar on June 24, 2021. Registration for the original session is not required to view the archived recording and presentation slides.

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Get ready! The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will provide up to $7.17 billion in support to schools and libraries for the purchase of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic for use by students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack connected devices and/or broadband connections sufficient to fully engage in remote learning.

The FCC and USAC will open the first Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application filing window on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at noon ET, which will fund equipment and services for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. The first application filing window will be open for 45 days, during which applicants will be able to submit requests for funding for purchases to be made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 to meet the needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to basic educational opportunities and library services. The FCC’s announcement of the funding window is available on their website.

Stay Informed
USAC will conduct outreach and training about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. Register for an Emergency Connectivity Fund Program overview training. USAC will repeat the training several times to allow all potential program participants to join a session and will post recordings of webinars when they are completed.

• Wednesday, June 16 @ 2:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview Webinar for E-rate Participants – Register
• Thursday, June 17 @ 2:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview Webinar for New (Non E-rate) Participants – Register
• Thursday, June 17 @ 4:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview for Tribal Applicants – Register
• Wednesday, June 23 @ 3:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview for Potential Applicants – Register

USAC will post Program e-learning modules on the website and host weekly office hours where applicants and service providers can ask questions and get information about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application process.

Visit the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program website to view trainings, access e-learning modules and register for office hour sessions.

Get Ready
To help you prepare for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program filing window, there are two steps you can take now, before the window opens:

1. Obtain an FCC Registration Number or locate your existing registration number if you already have one.

Schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries that intend to submit a funding application for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, as well as service providers that agree to invoice on behalf of applicants, should make sure they have an FCC Registration Number.  If a program participant previously registered with the FCC, they do not need to complete this step again. Schools. libraries, and services providers can obtain an FCC Registration Number by visiting the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) and completing the registration process. 

2. Register with SAM.gov so that you can receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

Applicants can apply for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program before their SAM.gov registration is approved, but will not be able to receive program funding until they have completed their registration. Applicants and service providers who agree to invoice on behalf of applicants must have an active registration with SAM.gov to receive support through the Program. 

Emergency Connectivity Fund Program participants do not need to re-register at SAM.gov if they already have an active SAM.gov registration.

Processing a SAM.gov registration request can take more than a week, so USAC recommends schools, libraries, and service providers who are invoicing on behalf of applicants begin the process early.

More detail on the Program is available in the FCC Order that established the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

To learn more, please visit EmergencyConnectivityFund.org and sign up for Emergency Connectivity Fund Program emails.