FCC Opens Second Filing Window for Emergency Connectivity Fund

The second application filing window for the Federal Communications Commission's $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund is open from September 28 to October 13, 2021. The FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, established by the American Rescue Plan of 2021, will help provide relief to millions of students, school staff, and library patrons and help close the Homework Gap for students who currently lack necessary internet access or the devices they need to connect to classrooms. Eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.  The funding can be used to purchase laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections to serve unmet needs for off-premises use by students, school staff, and library patrons. On September 24, the FCC announced the first funding wave in the program committing over $1.2 billion to connect over 3.6 million students.  Additional funding commitments will be made on a rolling basis in the coming weeks. You can find more information about the program here or instructions on how to apply here.