Cybersecurity, Energy Security & Emergency Response (CESER) (81.008)
Cybersecurity, Energy Security & Emergency Response (CESER) (Assistance Listing 81.008) is run by the Department of Energy. It awarded $188 million in 63 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $3.0 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $2.5 million. Half of the 63 awards fell between $1.7 million and $3.0 million, and they ranged from $350,000 to $20.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$188 million
- Grant awards63
- Typical award$2.5 million
- Awarded in FY 2025$35.1 million
- Size rank622 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreement
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $4.4 million in fiscal 2021 to $35.1 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 622nd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 84% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 22 states and territories.
What the program funds
The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) enhances the security and resilience of U.S. critical energy infrastructure from all hazards, mitigate the impacts of disruptive events and risk to the sector overall. CESER’s Risk Management Tools and Technologies (RMT) division is responsible for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of new tools and technologies that address risks to U.S. energy infrastructure. These tools and technologies address risks from cybersecurity and physical threats, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), geomagnetic disturbances (GMD), and natural hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. The intended outcome of CESER RMT projects is next generation tools and technologies that provide energy sector protection, monitoring, detection, response, containment, and recovery capabilities. These efforts are primarily executed through competitive solicitations.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
All types of domestic entities are eligible to apply, such as profit organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, universities, research organizations, and state and local governments. All information regarding eligibility requirements will be included in the specific notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) announcement.
What the money can and cannot pay for
An assistance award will be used when it is determined to be the best method for addressing the program mission. Discretionary funds may be available for assistance for this planning year.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. All information regarding matching requirements will be included in the specific notice of funding opportunity (NOFO); however, the program follows Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 to determine the specific requirements.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Typically in the $2M - $4M range with a period of performance of approximately 3 years but can vary based on programmatic goals.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Cybersecurity, Energy Security & Emergency Response (CESER) (81.008) awarded $188 million across 63 grant awards, an average of $3.0 million per award.
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 45% of the money, nonprofits 45% and businesses 7.5%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 38 | $85.1 million | 45% |
| Nonprofits | 18 | $84.4 million | 45% |
| Businesses | 5 | $14.1 million | 7.5% |
| Small businesses | 1 | $3.6 million | 1.9% |
| Other | 1 | $1.1 million | 0.6% |
By state
21 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 8 | $56.1 million |
| California | 9 | $27.5 million |
| New York | 10 | $23.1 million |
| Texas | 7 | $14.0 million |
| Alabama | 1 | $10.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $7.1 million |
| Iowa | 3 | $7.1 million |
| Florida | 4 | $6.9 million |
| Georgia | 2 | $6.0 million |
| Arkansas | 2 | $5.9 million |
| Illinois | 2 | $4.5 million |
| Kansas | 1 | $2.9 million |
| Connecticut | 1 | $2.5 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $2.5 million |
| Michigan | 2 | $2.4 million |
| North Carolina | 1 | $2.0 million |
| New Mexico | 2 | $1.8 million |
| Kentucky | 1 | $1.6 million |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Colorado | 1 | $1.1 million |
| Louisiana | 1 | $1.0 million |
| North Dakota | 1 | $983,399 |