E-Rate for FY 2025:
Wave 19 of Funding Commitment Decision Letters for FY 2025 was released on Friday, August 29th, for $112 million. Total funding is now $1.95 billion. Currently, USAC has funded 88.0% of submitted applications (just short of its 90% goal of “workable applications” by September 1st), representing 61.6% of the dollars requested.
Cybersecurity Pilot Program – Application Window:
The Form 471 application window for the Cybersecurity Pilot Program opened on March 18th and will close on September 15th, 2025. Total pilot funding is capped at $200 million for 690 applicants.
In a notice to USAC last week (DA 25-765), the FCC announced the approval of the PIA review procedures for the CBR Form 471 applications. As has been the case with E-Rate, this was just simple announcement of the approval; no details of the procedures were released publicly. It is, however, a necessary step proceeding the eventual issuance of Cyber Funding Commitment Decision Letters (“FCDLs”) — and an indication that PIA review of pending Cyber Pilot applications is about to begin.
E-Rate Central held a Cyber Pilot webinar (Passcode: qke^kt5R) last week suggesting additional guidance on bid evaluations, service periods, contracts, and CBR Form 471 service types.