Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training for Underserved Communities Program

The goals of the CWD Program are to decrease the cybersecurity workforce shortage and equity gap by increasing the pipeline of future cybersecurity professionals through workforce development and develop non-traditional training providers’ capacity in cybersecurity workforce development to support their long-term success. The CWD Program supports Goal 3: Secure Cyberspace and Critical Infrastructure in the Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and Goal 1: Cyber Defense in the CISA Strategic Plan 2023-2024. To achieve these goals, a CWD Program cooperative agreement will have three objectives: (1) implement an engaging training hub (virtual, in person, or a hybrid combination) covering both national and regional cybersecurity challenges to deliver cybersecurity training to a target audience of underserved communities and connect participants and employers in one or more CISA regions; (2) implement an apprenticeship and/or placement program for entry-level cybersecurity professionals that is supported by affiliations with cybersecurity entities who may support program enrollees and/or graduates; and (3) place training program graduates into full-time, entry-level cybersecurity jobs.

Nonprofit organizations are eligible applicants under the CWD Program. A “nonprofit organization” means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including institutions of higher education, incorporated in and located within the United States that (A) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (B) is not organized primarily for profit; and (C) uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization. A nonprofit organization may or may not have an effective ruling letter from the Internal Revenue Service granting tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Individuals at Least 17 Years Old

Individuals that are at least 17 years old are the beneficiaries of the CWD Program. The target audience are individuals from underserved communities and individuals with veterans’ status. “Underserved communities” include Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity will set forth the criteria that CISA will use in evaluating and scoring the budget and program narratives. As it relates to the program narrative, CISA will evaluate the applicant’s ability to implement the CWD Program objectives. This will include scoring information provided about the organization, communities served, jurisdictional and geographic areas benefitting from the project, past performance, proposed design, management strategy, and work plan. As it relates to the budget narrative, CISA will evaluate how the applicant has addressed how it will spend funds for planning, personnel, contractual, delivery, and equipment purchase for each eligible activity.

CISA/DHS communicates the Notices of Award to recipients for which CISA/DHS has made a cooperative agreement award. Payments to a recipient under the cooperative agreement award are made via an electronic system as detailed above in the Length and Time Phasing of Assistance section. There is no negotiation of any terms and conditions or any other parts of the cooperative agreement award communicated to the recipient in the Notice of Award.

The range of time required for CISA to process applications for a federal award is approximately 30-60 days. CISA will communicate all Notices of Awards on or before September 30.