E-Fee Funding Yr 2026 FCC Kind 471 Submitting Window Opens
On December 18, 2025, the Common Service Administrative Firm (USAC) revealed the applying interval for E-Fee funding for the fiscal yr 2026! This can be a important likelihood for E-Fee candidates to acquire monetary assist for important providers and gear that can improve connectivity for faculties and libraries
January 21, 2026 – The FY2026 FCC Kind 471 software submitting window opens on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at midday ET. This marks the start of the interval throughout which candidates can submit their software to request funding for eligible providers and gear. Candidates should embody data on the recipients of providers and repair supplier(s); present detailed descriptions of providers together with prices and dates of service or gear; and certify compliance with program guidelines.
March 4, 2026 – Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the ultimate day to submit and certify an FCC Kind 470. This manner is essential for initiating the aggressive bidding course of for the providers you want to procure. Guarantee it’s filed by this date to fulfill the required 28-day ready interval earlier than you may submit your FCC Kind 471.
April 1, 2026 – The submitting window closes on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. That is the final alternative to submit your FCC Kind 471, so ensure all of your documentation and certifications are accomplished by this deadline to safe potential funding.
FCC Replace on Cybersecurity Pilot Initiative
Preliminary funding commitments have begun.
On December 17, 2025, the FCC issued its first Funding Dedication Resolution Letters (FCDLs), allocating $18.8 million to 140 candidates.
This dataset sheds gentle on the $200 million pilot program’s progress, highlighting nationwide engagement, participant priorities, and the preliminary funding commitments made in December.
Though this system remains to be in its early levels, this preliminary dataset gives useful insights into the methods faculties and libraries are adopting for cybersecurity investments and the way the pilot could affect future coverage choices.
With a substantial funds nonetheless out there and lots of functions below evaluate, further rounds of funding commitments are anticipated.
Streamlined Cybersecurity Options for Colleges and Libraries Cisco is devoted to simplifying the acquisition of safe networking applied sciences for faculties and libraries by providing options which are simple to obtain, implement, and use. These options will harness the Cybersecurity Pilot funding to empower academic establishments to foster inclusive studying for everybody.
Choices will embody optimum networking and superior security measures tailor-made to completely different faculty sizes. Cisco is dedicated to addressing the cybersecurity wants of colleges and libraries.
To enhance this program, Cisco is worked up to supply Faculty and Libraries Cybersecurity bundles. These bundles present complete options tailor-made to guard your establishment’s digital belongings.
For extra data, see my earlier weblog Okay-12 Colleges and Libraries: Key Insights on FCC’s $200M Cybersecurity Pilot and Cisco Simplified Options.
FCC Finalizes Eligible Providers Checklist for FY2026
The FCC has revealed the finalized Eligible Providers Checklist (ESL) for Funding Yr 2026, formally confirming the
methodology urged earlier this fall. The revised ESL gives readability on the classification of sure software-based and distant providers below the E-Fee program and gives additional steering to assist candidates navigate the applying and evaluate course of with much less confusion.
Software program-based providers transfer below Inner Connections
Probably the most notable updates to the FY2026 ESL is the reclassification of software-based and distant providers. Beforehand, these providers had been divided between Inner Connections and Primary Upkeep of Inner Connections (BMIC), which regularly led to inconsistent dealing with and errors in functions.
For FY2026, the FCC has redefined the Inner Connections class to obviously embody:
• Software program-based providers
• Bug fixes and safety patches
• Technical help associated to software program
• Distant configuration changes
Candidates ought to now request these providers alongside the Inner Connections gear they assist, fairly than as a part of primary upkeep. The FCC goals to resolve ongoing confusion that has traditionally led to aggressive bidding points and funding denials.
Along side these adjustments, the FCC has additionally refined the BMIC class. In keeping with the ultimate ESL:
• Configuration adjustments carried out in individual are nonetheless eligible below BMIC.
• On-line and phone-based technical assist, software program updates, and safety patches have been excluded from BMIC eligibility.
For extra data, please attain out to Janell Tennyson, E-Fee Lead.
