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 i

CISA awards financial assistance under the CWD Program through cooperative agreements to non-profit organizations that are non-traditional technical training providers (NTTPs) to train a target audience of underserved individuals that will gain the skills and competencies required to secure entry-level skilled cybersecurity jobs and to assist program participants in securing internships, apprenticeships, and/or employment. NTTPs are entities that actively offer employer-driven cybersecurity trainings and work-based cybersecurity learning opportunities through classroom and/or virtual training, internships, apprenticeships, and/or other workplace exposures to meet the dynamic needs of the cybersecurity workplace.

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 CWD Program provides financial assistance for a nonprofit organization that is a NTTP to provide training to a target audience of underserved individuals. These individuals that are at least 17 years old will gain the skills and competencies required to secure entry-level skilled cybersecurity jobs, and be assisted in securing internships, apprenticeships, and/or employment. The eligible work under a cooperative agreement will include: drafting a cybersecurity training, placement, and sustainability strategy; creating and operating a training hub (virtual, in-person, or both); providing a range of training and support services that lead to entry-level skilled cybersecurity jobs, such as assessment, coaching, counseling, and occupational skills training; and establishing and expanding the NTTPs network of cybersecurity partners/affiliates to provide input on the training and placement program. The allowable direct costs to pursue eligible work may include salaries and fringe benefits of a recipient's employees; travel costs of a recipient's employees; costs to purchase necessary equipment and supplies; contract costs; participant support costs; and management and administrative costs. Indirect costs are also allowable. The Notice of Funding Opportunity will detail the eligible work and allowable costs on the use of federal funds.

The period of performance for a cooperative agreement award under the CWD Program is three years. These awards also have a single, 3-year budget period that is the same as the period of performance. CISA will award the full federal funding at the time it approves the cooperative agreement and will not make additional funding available for a federal award through supplemental or continuation funding. CISA makes payments for federal awards in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.305(b). Under this payment process, CISA makes the federal funds available to a recipient in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System ("PMS") at the time of the federal award (or time of continuation funding) and the recipient draws down funds on the advance payment, reimbursement, or working capital advance method.

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.

The level of federal funding that CISA approves in a federal award represents the maximum level of funding for that federal award. Continuation awards and renewal awards are not available under the CWD Program. CISA may approve period of performance extensions supported by adequate justification.

There are no appeal rights for applicants that CISA does not select for a federal award under the CWD Program. An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal debriefing and CISA may, in its sole discretion, elect to provide such a debriefing. As it relates to recipients of a federal award, the regulation at 2 C.F.R. § 200.342 requires CISA to provide a recipient an opportunity to appeal any remedy for non-compliance taken by CISA pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.339. There are no other recipient appeal rights. For example, a recipient has no right to appeal the amount of a federal award, denial of a period of performance extension request, or denial of a budget change request.