The FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program is officially moving into its next phase.
Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) are beginning to arrive for some Cybersecurity Pilot applications. We received one today, confirming what many applicants and service providers have been anticipating: the pilot is shifting from application review to implementation and reimbursement.
At the same time, visibility into these decisions is still limited through public data tools. That creates a short window where applicants may receive decisions before their service providers—or their internal teams—can easily track them at scale.
Here’s what’s happening, what the FCDL actually means, and how to stay ahead of the next steps.
What the Cybersecurity Pilot Is (and Why These Letters Matter)
The Cybersecurity Pilot is a three-year FCC initiative designed to test whether federal support can help schools and libraries acquire eligible cybersecurity services and equipment—and whether cybersecurity should become a permanent, fundable category in the future.
An FCDL is the moment where that policy experiment becomes real. It confirms:
- Which funding requests were approved
- The amount committed
- The service delivery window
- How invoicing will work
In short, the FCDL is the green light that allows projects to move forward.
What an FCDL Tells You, In Plain English
Based on the FCDLs received today, here’s what applicants should focus on first:
1. Funding has been committed
The letter confirms the total committed amount and identifies each funded request. In this case, the request was approved as submitted, with no reductions or conditions .
2. Your invoicing path is set
Each funding request specifies whether reimbursement will occur through:
- BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement), or
- SPI (Service Provider Invoice)
That choice drives who pays first, who invoices USAC, and how cash flow will work during implementation.
3. Timelines are now anchored
Unlike E-rate, the Cybersecurity Pilot does not follow a traditional funding-year cycle. Service start dates, delivery deadlines, and invoicing windows are tied directly to the FCDL and the approved contract terms, not July 1.
The One Challenge Right Now: Visibility
While applicants are beginning to receive FCDLs, those decisions are not yet consistently visible through public data tools in the way E-rate users are accustomed to.
That means:
- Applicants may know they’re funded before their service provider can see the official decision
- Project starts can slow down if the FCDL isn’t shared promptly
- Tracking awards at scale is still difficult for consultants and providers
This is a normal growing pain for a new program, but it does require more intentional coordination in the short term.
What Funds For Learning Is Doing Next
As soon as Cybersecurity Pilot FCDL and Pilot FCC Form 471 data are available through official publishing channels, Funds For Learning will add that information to E-rate Manager.
Our goal is to make Cyber Pilot funding decisions:
- Easier to track
- Easier to share
- Easier to act on
Until then, the most reliable source of truth is still the FCDL itself.
Practical Next Steps
If you’re a Cybersecurity Pilot applicant
- Watch for your FCDL and review it carefully
- Share the letter promptly with your awarded service provider
- Confirm internal readiness: purchasing approvals, timelines, and documentation
If you’re a service provider
- Be prepared to act as soon as the applicant shares the FCDL
- Confirm invoicing readiness and documentation requirements
- Align early on delivery milestones and reimbursement timing
Why This Phase Matters
The Cybersecurity Pilot isn’t just about individual awards. How well these projects are implemented — on time, on budget, and with clean documentation — will help shape whether cybersecurity becomes a permanent, fundable part of the schools and libraries program.
FCDLs are the signal that execution now matters as much as policy.
We’ll continue monitoring releases closely and will update E-rate Manager as soon as the data becomes publicly accessible.
