Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities | IS CWT 21 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for IS CWT 21 001

The Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities (Funding Opportunity Number IS CWT 21 001) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning DHS expects to have an active partnership role with awardees during the project period rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The goal is to grow the entry-level cybersecurity talent pipeline by tapping into capable but under-recruited people in underserved communities, and to do so through training models that are often outside traditional college or university pathways.

At the center of the opportunity is the idea of leveraging "unrealized cybersecurity talent" by working with established or emerging non-traditional technical training providers. These providers are expected to either create new entry-level training and apprenticeship programs or improve and scale existing ones. The emphasis is on practical, job-aligned preparation that can move participants from learning into real-world, entry-level cybersecurity roles. DHS is specifically looking for efforts that do more than teach technical content; the programs should connect training to apprenticeships and then to employment outcomes in a structured way.

A major requirement highlighted in the description is the development and implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity pathways retention strategy. This is aimed at reducing drop-off between stages, especially the transition from apprenticeship to job placement. In practice, this means applicants should be prepared to describe how they will keep participants engaged through the full pathway, address barriers that commonly lead to attrition, and strengthen follow-through so apprenticeships actually convert into placements. The opportunity frames retention and engagement as essential for optimizing and expanding cybersecurity training and apprenticeship efforts, not as optional add-ons.

The broader workforce purpose is to expand apprenticeships to help meet cybersecurity staffing needs across multiple employer types. The program is positioned as beneficial to federal agencies as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, which often struggle to compete for cybersecurity talent. It also aims to support traditional employers with near-term hiring needs and longer-term workforce development, implying an interest in models that can be replicated, scaled, or integrated into existing hiring ecosystems.

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. The listing does not include colleges or universities as eligible lead applicants, reinforcing the focus on non-traditional training channels and community-based workforce development approaches. The funding is administered by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division, and the activity category is listed under community development and disaster prevention and relief (CFDA 97.127), reflecting DHS's interest in cyber readiness as part of resilience and public-sector capacity.

In terms of funding details, the award ceiling is $1,000,000, and DHS anticipated making 2 awards under this opportunity. The funding opportunity was created on July 13, 2021, with an original application closing date of August 25, 2021. Overall, the grant is designed to pilot and strengthen training-to-apprenticeship-to-employment pathways in cybersecurity for underserved communities, with a strong focus on retention, transition support, and meeting workforce needs across government and industry.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the community development, disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.127.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2021 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for IS CWT 21 001

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