Cybersecurity Pilot Program
To help address cybersecurity threats targeting K-12 schools’ and libraries’ broadband networks and data, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (Pilot Program or Pilot) to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how universal service funds can be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries.
The three-year Pilot Program, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the oversight of the FCC, provides up to $200 million in universal service support to eligible schools and libraries to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. As a general matter, the Pilot Program’s forms and processes, including those used for competitive bidding, requesting eligible services and equipment, and submitting reimbursements, are modeled after the forms and processes used in the E-Rate and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) programs.
Pilot Program Participants Selected
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.
Competitive Bidding
Selected participants can begin the competitive bidding process, once they received notice of their selection. Pilot participants can submit and certify their Pilot FCC Form 470 in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program Portal to start the required minimum 28-day competitive bidding window. Visit the Pilot FCC Form 470 User Guide for more information.
Pilot FCC Form 484
Eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries applied to participate in the Pilot Program by submitting Part 1 of the Pilot FCC Form 484 during the application filing window, which ran from September 17, 2024 through November 1, 2024. In Part 1, interested applicants submitted information about their school, library, or consortia and the type of cybersecurity services and equipment they planned to request if selected to participate in the Pilot Program.
Selected Pilot Program participants are required to provide more detailed information about their cybersecurity experiences in Part 2 of the Pilot FCC Form 484. Visit the Pilot FCC Form 484 Part 2 User Guide for more information.
Pilot participants must complete Part 2 of the Pilot FCC Form 484 by September 15, 2025. Any participant that does not complete Part 2 of the Pilot FCC Form 484 will be ineligible for Pilot Program funding and will be subject to removal. Removed participants will be replaced with a qualifying applicant consistent with section 54.2001(d) of the FCC’s rules and directives regarding participant selection.
Funding Requests
After completing the competitive bidding process, participants can request Pilot Program funding using the Pilot FCC Form 471, found in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program Portal. USAC will begin accepting funding requests when the funding application window opens on March 18, 2025 and continue accepting requests through the window close on September 15, 2025.
Stay Informed
To learn more about the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, visit our Learn section to find newsletters and webinars. You can also visit the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program website and FAQ webpage.
Pilot Program Training
USAC will offer robust training to help participants navigate the Pilot Program’s competitive bidding, funding application, and reimbursement processes. Pilot Program trainings and webinars will be announced on this website and via email. Visit our Webinars section to register for upcoming webinars and view previous webinars.