CyberSecurity Core Curriculum
To meet future national security challenges, the NSA (and other DoD and Federal Agencies/Components) partner with institutions of higher education to develop the cybersecurity talent and tools need by: Funding skill development programs like summer camps Promoting development of curricula for the growing cybersecurity career field Sponsoring skills and research paper competitions Awarding research grants and funding research labs and projects Funding institutions who support the larger cybersecurity community in faculty, lab, and curriculum development This is not a complete list, there may be other topic areas that further cybersecurity for the nation that the NCAE-C Program Office could release via a grant solicitation. These partnerships help cultivate the next generation of experts in cybersecurity who can protect our nation from cyberattacks. Grants will be awarded to institutions of higher learning who are designated as either a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, and National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations. All three programs are housed under the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program and hereinafter will be referred to as CAEs.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
12.905
Federal Agency/Office
National Security Agency, Department of Defense
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Authorization
10 U.S.C. 2192(b)
Improvement of education in technical fields: general authority regarding education in science, mathematics, and engineering
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
CAEs must be in good standing with the CAE Program Office as well as the CAE Grant Program Office. They must be current on all reporting requirements and show past performance in executing such grants. CAEs must also submit a proposal in response to any published solicitation by the due date with all required forms and documentation to be considered. All recipients of grant funding must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. Additional eligible requirements will be provided in the solicitation/application .
Beneficiary Eligibility
Must be a U.S. college or University, a public or private school or school system, or a not-for-profit educational institution. The principal investigator and program staff must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Program eligibility will be determined by NSA's College of Cyber.
Credentials/Documentation
Institutions of higher learning must be designated as a CAE and will receive information on how to apply and the required forms/certifications needed.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. CAEs will be notified via the CAE Application Tool no less than 60 days before the solicitation due date. In some cases more time may be provided to prepare a response.
Award Procedure
The CAE Grants Program Director in conjunction with the NSA Contracting Office will award grants covering the required funds.
Deadlines
The CAE Program Office may release multiple solicitations in a given year that address different project opportunities. Each solicitation will have the deadline clearly identified.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
These dates will be determined the solicitation due date and will be clearly identified in the solicitation
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Unless an option is awarded in a based grant, CAEs will need to reapply to any future solicitation for additional funding. Typically, these grants are a 12-24 month stand-alone project.
How are proposals selected?
Subject matter experts from DoD and Federal agencies as well as potential peer CAEs will review the proposals against published criteria. Each proposals may receive three independent reviews, with the scores tallied/averaged and then rank ordered. The CAE Program Office has final decision authority.
How may assistance be used?
Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct the proposed project.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
A copy of the current A-133 audit report will be required when awarding the grant, but no audits will be required during the life of the grant.
Records
Records shall be maintained in accordance with OMB Circulars A-110 and A-133, as appropriate.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance funds are available for a period of up to 12 to 24 months, unless an option has been proposed and accepted for 12 additional months. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds are released upon receipt of an acceptable invoice (SF-270) by the Finance and Accounting Office, in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-110 and General Provisions for NSA Grants and Cooperative Agreements attachment, which is provided with each awarded grant. Released only to National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity through the CAE Application Tool.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
DoD/NSA Attn: A235, Ms. Alice Smitley 9800 Savage Road, Suite 6810 Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6833 (410) 854-6206 NCAECGrants@nsa.gov
Headquarters Office
Alice Smitley
9800 Savage Road, Suite 6810
Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755 USA
NCAECGrants@nsa.gov
Phone: 410-854-6206
Website Address
https://www.nsa.gov/Academics/Centers-of-Academic-Excellence/
Financial Information
Account Identification
97-0100-0-1-051
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$20,000,000.00; FY 23 est $20,000,000.00; FY 24 est $20,000,000.00; FY 21 FY 19 FY 20 -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000.00 to $5,000,000.00
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Information on how to apply please contact the CAE Grant Office at NCAECGrants@nsa.gov or 410-854-6206. Information on how to apply to be designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, please contact the CAE Program Office at CAEPMO@nsa.gov or 410-854-6206
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2020 For FY19 - Support to 11NCAE-Cs who provided outreach and support to the entire NCAE-C Community . These projects range in scope from faculty development, support for the NCAE-C Community Symposium, and mentoring of new and re-designating institutions.
Fiscal Year 2022 For FY20, 21, FY22, and FY23 - Awarded grants to CAEs who provided outreach and support to the entire CAE community. These projects range in scope from faculty development, support for the CAE Community, workforce development, educational outreach, and mentoring of new and re-designating institutions.