U.S. Government Allocates Over $3.3 Million to Boost Cybersecurity Workforce in 13 States

USA: U.S. Government Allocates Over $3.3 Million to Boost Cybersecurity Workforce in 13 States

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced on September 17, 2025 that more than $3.3 million in cooperative agreements will be distributed to support cybersecurity workforce development across 13 states. The funding will be divided into 17 awards of roughly $200,000 each, targeting educational and community organizations that can help close the nation’s shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Administration and Funding

The agreements are administered by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a NIST‑led collaboration that brings together government, academia, and private‑sector partners. NICE focuses on cybersecurity education, training, and the cultivation of a skilled workforce, and will oversee the implementation of the newly created Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) projects.

Program Goals and Workforce Gap

RAMPS projects are designed to align local business and nonprofit cybersecurity needs with the guidance of the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity. “RAMPS communities are intended to address the cybersecurity workforce needs of employers in local and regional economies,” said Rodney Petersen, director of NICE. “By bringing together local industry, educational organizations and economic development entities, communities can develop a skilled workforce, help grow their economy and protect against risks in cyberspace.”

The NICE‑funded CyberSeek tool currently identifies more than 514,000 open cybersecurity positions in the United States, with only about 74 qualified workers available for every 100 openings. This disparity underscores the urgency of expanding training pipelines and creating new entry points for talent.

Regional Implementation

Projects will focus on developing curricula, offering education and training at high‑school, college, and professional levels, and providing practical experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, boot camps, competitions, and hackathons. With the new agreements, the RAMPS network now comprises 47 communities spanning 25 states. Selected recipients include the AZ Cyber Initiative in Arizona ($199,100), The Coding School serving the Delaware‑Maryland‑Virginia region ($200,000), and the University of Southern Mississippi for the Mississippi Gulf Coast region ($153,048), among others.

Projected Outcomes

Stakeholders anticipate that the infusion of resources will accelerate the development of a pipeline of cybersecurity talent, strengthen local economies, and enhance the overall resilience of critical infrastructure against cyber threats. By fostering collaboration among industry, educators, and economic development agencies, the program aims to create sustainable pathways for individuals to enter and advance within the cybersecurity field.

This report is based on information from NIST, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.