DoD Cyber Academic Engagement Office Senior Military Colleges (SMC)

The Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Academic Engagement Office is seeking a grant recipient to lead Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) in developing comprehensive cyber workforce talent pipelines. The primary objectives include building competencies in Cyber Mission Force work roles, expanding academic and experiential programs, and addressing critical skills gaps identified in the DoD Cyber Workforce Strategy. Key program requirements involve developing cyber leadership skills, conducting research on DoD and cybersecurity challenges, providing professional development for faculty, and performing outreach to grades 7-12. Each SMC will be required to host at least one student cyber camp annually and conduct six outreach engagements per year. The program will transition to a DoD CIO governance structure in FY26, with semi-annual operational working groups and an annual DoD Cyber Institute Summit to assess program effectiveness. Proposals will be evaluated by subject matter experts from DoD and federal agencies, with each proposal potentially receiving three independent reviews.

The grant opportunity offers up to $16 million, specifically targeted for Norwich University for a two-year period from July 2025 to July 2027, with a potential option year extending through August 2028. The funding will support the development of core curriculum based on six cybersecurity concepts, with a focus on creating a robust military and civilian cyber workforce talent pipeline. Recipients will be responsible for quarterly financial and performance reporting, and the program will emphasize developing competencies across academic institutions. The place of performance will be at the participating Senior Military Colleges, with a strong emphasis on creating educational infrastructure and experiential learning opportunities in the cybersecurity domain.