Assistance program
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
$4.9 Billion committed in FY2021–FY2026
- Agency
- Federal Communications Commission, Federal Communications Commission
- Assistance
- Not Applicable
- CFDA number
- 32.009
- What it does
- In section 7402 of the American Rescue Plan Act (Act), Congress established a $7.171 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) in the U.S. Treasury and directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) not later than 60 days after enactment of the Act to promulgate rules providing for the distribution of ECF support to eligible schools and libraries for the purchase of eligible equipment and/or advanced telecommunications and information services for use by students, school staff, and library patrons at locations including locations other than a school or library. On May 10, 2021, the FCC adopted a Report and Order entitled Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap, WC Docket No. 21-93, Report and Order, FCC 21-58 (2021) (Report and Order). The Report and Order established the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF Program), which is funded through the ECF. The ECF Program rules became effective upon publication of the Report and Order in the Federal Register on May 28, 2021. ECF Program support was first made available to eligible schools and libraries applying for funds for the purchases of eligible equipment, including Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and connected devices, as well as advanced telecommunications and information services, to meet the remote learning needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and/or broadband connections sufficient to engage in remote learning during the 2021-2022 school year. On April 28, 2022, the FCC opened the third and final application filing window, during which eligible schools and libraries were able to submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and up to 12 months of recurring services to be provided between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023 for students, school staff, and library patrons with unmet needs. Because demand exceeded available funds, applications received during the third filing window will be prioritized to fund schools and libraries with the greatest need first, with a preference for schools and libraries located in rural areas pursuant to the Commission’s rules.