ECF Third Application Window April 28 - May 13, 2022
On March 23, 2022 the Federal Communications Commission announced that it will open a third 15-day filing window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund to support schools and libraries in the upcoming school year to close the homework gap.
The new application window will open on Thursday April 28, 2022 and close on Friday May 13, 2022. Applicants may apply for a maximum of 12 months of eligible services and equipment that will be received or delivered between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.
Program rules and eligible items remain the same as they were in the previous application windows.
Wisconsin ECF Awards
$72,484,978.51 awarded to Wisconsin applicants through March 23, 2022.
Please visit the FCC ECF Webpage to download a current list of funding commitments approved by state.
Nationally, total commitments to date are supporting over 11,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 130 consortia for over 10 million connected devices and over 5 million broadband connections.
Wisconsin ECF Application Details
Amount Requested for Equipment: $70,753,220.11
Amount Requested for Services: $12,238,176.68
Total Funding Requested: $82,990,396.79
The following information are totals taken directly from the 426 WI applicants.
With the ECF funding, how many students in your school or district will you provide with:
-- A connected device because they lack such a device: 227,145
-- A broadband connection because they lack such a connection: 37,887
-- Both a connected device and a broadband connection: 50,951
Even after receiving ECF funding, how many students in your school or district will lack access to:
-- A connected device: 23,534
-- A broadband connection: 13,939
-- Both a connected device and a broadband connection: 9,130
Important Dates for Applicants
April 28, 2022 to May 13, 2022 - Third Application Window
September 28, 2021 to October 13, 2021 - Second Application Window
June 29, 2021 to August 13, 2021 - Initial 45-day ECF Application Window
Libraries and schools can apply to the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to request reimbursement for devices and internet services for students, staff, and patrons that need sufficient access to engage in remote learning during the upcoming school year. Schools that are providing face-to-face instruction are eligible for ECF to close the homework gap.
Use DPI’s Internet Access at Home Survey to gather your district’s digital equity data and verify need for the ECF Program, then leverage statewide discounted purchasing through the Digital Learning Bridge.
Applicants will need an FCC Registration Number (which existing E-rate applicants already have) and current a System for Award Management/SAM account status (which many applicants have for other federal funding purposes).
Other Helpful Resources
- ECF Form 471 E-learning Module (15 minute video)
- ECF Flyer
- ECF Eligible Devices & Services List (Page 89)
- FCC CIPA Compliance Flowchart
- ALA CIPA Compliance Scenarios
- ALA ECF Information for Libraries
- FCC ECF Fact Sheet
- At-a-glance Table Summarizing Eligible Expenses & Program Rules provided by Julie Tritt Schell PA E-rate Coordinator and Debra Kriete, SD E-rate Coordinator.