Grants / National Science Foundation / U.S. National Science Foundation

NSF PD-18-1668: Community College Cyber Pilot Program

Closed Closed Opportunity NSF PD-18-1668 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI) (NSF 27-500). Status: Closes January 29, 2027 (83 days left). It is in our archive of U.S. National Science Foundation notices from 2025.

• Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to any type of organization.

• Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

More grants for nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses, individuals.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Most of the program's money (87% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

Cyberspace is a complex ecosystem that involves computer hardware, software, networks, data, people, and integration with the physical world. Society's overwhelming reliance on this complex system has exposed fragility and vulnerabilities that defy existing cyber-defense measures. Corporations, agencies, national infrastructure, and individuals continue to suffer cyber-attacks. To protect America's economic prosperity and security in the 21st century, the nation needs an innovative and efficient cybersecurity education system that will produce an unrivaled cybersecurity workforce as well as a cybersecurity-literate citizenry. Community colleges play an important role in these efforts by offering degrees and industry-recognized credentials that prepare students to fill high-demand cybersecurity jobs. In recognition of this role, NSF supports skilled technical workforce programs atcommunity collegesto develop skills necessary for the Nation’s cybersecurity missions. In addition, section 1649A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA18) has authorized the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management, to develop and implement a Community College Cyber Pilot (C3P) program as part of NSF's CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. Specifically, NDAA18 authorizes scholarships for eligible students who: are pursuing associate degrees or specialized program certifications in the field of cybersecurity; and (A) have bachelor’s degrees or (B) are veterans of the Armed Forces. In response to the NDAA18, NSF will accept proposals to develop, implement, support, and evaluate C3P projects in this pilot effort. This new category of CyberCorps® SFS scholars will satisfy criteria and receive the benefits consistent with the CyberCorps® SFS program requirements (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504991) and must work after graduation for a Federal, State, Local, or Tribal Government organization in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, NSF 27-500, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.