The pennsylvania cybersecurity workforce alliance will bridge the cybersecurity workforce GAP through effective collaboration and student support

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $316,439.60 to the IUP Research Institute under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620) effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. The Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance delivers a comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to address the cybersecurity skills gap through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Core products and services include industry-recognized certification preparation workshops, paid internship placements, cybersecurity competitions, mentorship programs, and K-12 engagement activities including hackathons and cybersecurity workshops. All offerings are aligned with the National Institute for Cybersecurity Careers (NICE) Framework and work role-based curricula.

The initiative serves as a regional hub connecting community colleges, universities, employers, and K-12 institutions across Pennsylvania. Sub-awards totaling $70,000 were distributed to Montgomery County Community College ($40,000) and Penn Highlands Community College ($30,000) to support service delivery. The program specifically targets underrepresented populations including veterans, students with disabilities, women, and learners in rural communities across grades K-16. Expected outcomes include increased certification attainment rates, expanded employer adoption of the NICE Framework, improved workforce readiness among participants, and enhanced alignment between educational programming and regional cybersecurity employment needs.

Activities

The project will establish a multi-stakeholder cybersecurity partnership across pennsylvania to deliver certification prep workshops, paid internships, cyber competitions, and k TO12 engagement activities, all aligned with the nice framework. Core services include cybersecurity career exploration, mentorship, adoption of work role-based curricula, and workforce-aligned training across community colleges, universities, employers, and k to 12 institutions.

Expected outcomes

The initiative aims to increase the number of students earning industry-recognized certifications, expand employer use of the nice framework, and improve workforce readiness among college and k to 12 participants. Measurable outcomes include increased certification rates, internship participation, career awareness, and alignment between educational outcomes and regional cybersecurity workforce needs.

Intended beneficiaries

The program targets pennsylvania-based students across k to 16, with a focus on groups including veterans, students with disabilities, women, and learners in rural communities. Regional employers, educational institutions, and communities will benefit from a more qualified, and job-ready cybersecurity talent pipeline.

Subrecipient activities

Subawards will be given to montgomery county community college (mccc) in the amount of $40,000.00 and to penn highlands community college (phcc) in the amount of $30,000.00.