FCC Sees Strong Interest in the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program

The Federal Communications Commission received 2,734 applications from schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries to participate in the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, representing $3.7 billion in requests to fund cybersecurity projects during the three-year program. During the application filing window—which ran from September 17, 2024 through November 1, 2024—the Pilot Program attracted applications from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, including schools and libraries in both rural and urban communities. This wide range of applicants will help facilitate the inclusion of a diverse selection of eligible schools and libraries with differing cybersecurity needs and experiences as participants in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program. The program will provide up to $200 million in funding to eligible schools and libraries selected to participate in order to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment, while providing the FCC with data to better understand whether and how universal service funds can be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks. The FCC will begin reviewing applications to target funding to as many qualified applicants as possible with a special focus on the neediest eligible schools, libraries, and consortia who will benefit most from cybersecurity funding (i.e., those at the highest discount rate percentages); Tribal entities; and selecting a mix of large and small and urban and rural, schools, libraries, and consortia. Selected Pilot participants and additional information on next steps will be announced in a future Public Notice.