ECF Third Application Filing Window

The ECF application filing window will open on Thursday, April 28, 2022, and close on Friday, May 13, 2022. Funding can be used to pays for internet access and laptops/tablets/chromebooks ("Connected Devices") for students, teachers and library patrons with an unmet need. Unmet need means that the student or teacher does not have their own computer and internet service at home that can be used for remote learning.

The Commission anticipates that a minimum of $1 billion will be available for commitment and disbursement. In the third application filing window, applicants can request support and reimbursement for a maximum of 12 months of costs associated with eligible equipment or services (such as the monthly fee for hotspot) during the 18-month service period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

Additionally, the service period must be different from the months already paid for with Window 1 and 2 ECF funding. Windows 1 and 2 have a 12-month service period that ends June 30, 2023. Applicants who previously filed and obtained approval for ECF funding in Windows 1 and 2 will need to explain that their new requests in Window 3 are not duplicative of Window 1 and 2 funding. This will have to be explained in the narrative of each funding request.