Emergency Connectivity Fund

 

FCC Chairwoman Explains What the Emergency Connectivity Fund Is and How It Can Help Schools and Libraries

More Video: En Español

Funding requests and awards:

In the third window for filing applications for ECF, the FCC received more than $2.8 billion in requests to fund over 5.1 million connected devices and nearly 4.3 million broadband connections. The Commission to date has committed over $7.09 billion in program funding to provide approximately 18 million students with broadband connections and equipment. Total commitments to date have funded nearly 13 million connected devices and more than 8 million broadband connections.

Click this link or the map above to view demand by state. Detailed information on the status of submitted applications is available in the Open Data Portal.

Download the current list of ECF funding commitments approved by state and a list of total ECF broadband connections and connected devices by state (Excel files).

Common Misconceptions About ECF (PDF | Español)

If your household is struggling to afford internet service, you may be eligible for a monthly service discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program. To learn about how you may qualify and apply, visit GetInternet.gov.

For more information on the ECF program and the recent Congressional funding rescission, please refer to the FAQs.

The FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7.171 billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. ECF will help provide relief to millions of students, school staff, and library patrons and will help close the Homework Gap for students who currently lack necessary Internet access or the devices they need to connect to classrooms.

For eligible schools and libraries, the ECF Program will cover reasonable costs of laptop and tablet computers; Wi-Fi hotspots; modems; routers; and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.

Congress authorized the Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Funds Through the Emergency Connectivity Fund?

Schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries (e.g., regional or statewide groups of schools or libraries that apply together) that are eligible for support under the FCC's E-Rate Program and Tribal libraries eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act may request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

What Equipment and Services Are Covered?

Eligible equipment includes Wi-Fi hotspots, modems (including air cards), routers, devices that combine a modem and router, and connected devices (laptop and tablet computers). Schools and libraries can also receive funding for commercially available broadband service that provides a fixed or mobile broadband connection for off-campus use by students, school staff or library patrons. In limited instances, a school or library that can demonstrate it has no available service options sufficient to support remote learning may seek funding for the construction of new networks to provide remote learning and the equipment needed for datacasting services. Review the Eligible Services List for additional guidance on the equipment and services eligible for funding under the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

What Can Schools or Libraries Expect After Applying?

The initial application filing window closed on August 13, 2021, the second application filing window closed on October 13, 2021, and the third application filing window closed on May 13, 2022. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is the administrator of the ECF Program. USAC and the FCC will review and process applications on a rolling basis. Applicants and their service providers will receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) approving or denying funding requests. Current funding commitment information is available at fcc.gov/ecf-current-funding-commitments.

Participants can request certain changes to their funding requests and request reimbursement through the ECF Portal. For more information about the Post-Commitment and Reimbursement processes, visit emergencyconnectivityfund.org.

Sign up to stay informed about the Emergency Connectivity Fund and receive invitations for future training sessions.

Review additional Frequently Asked Questions about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

Tens of thousands of schools and libraries across the country already work with USAC to receive support for their on-campus broadband connectivity needs through the E-Rate Program.