# NIST Awards Cybersecurity Workforce Grants

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded over **$1.7 million** through nine cooperative agreements on September 18, 2026, to support cybersecurity education and workforce development across eight U.S. states. These awards, administered under the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) RAMPS program, fund Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships that align local workforce needs with cybersecurity training and career pathways. The initiative aims to address the shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals by fostering collaboration among industry, education, and economic development stakeholders.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on community-based partnerships and practical training programs that align with local cybersecurity workforce demands.
- Organizations involved in cybersecurity education and training can explore opportunities to collaborate with awardees or apply for future cooperative agreements under similar programs.
- This funding highlights federal commitment to workforce development in cybersecurity, signaling potential growth in related contracts and initiatives.
- Companies providing cybersecurity training, curriculum development, or workforce solutions may find increased demand in the eight states targeted by these grants.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 21, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
- U.S. Department of Commerce

### Vendors
- Florida Atlantic University (awardee)
- Kentucky Community and Technical College (awardee)
- National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) (awardee)
- New Mexico Highlands University (awardee)
- Regents of the University of Michigan (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> The RAMPS program brings together industry, educational and economic development participants to collectively build a skilled cybersecurity workforce that meets the unique needs of each community.
> — Karen Wetzel, Director of the NICE program at NIST

### Sources
- [
		NIST awards over $1.7 million to expand cybersecurity education and workforce development across eight states - Industrial Cyber	](https://industrialcyber.co/news/nist-awards-over-1-7-million-to-expand-cybersecurity-education-and-workforce-development-across-eight-states) - Industrial Cyber
- [NIST Awards More Than $1.7 Million to Support Cybersecurity Workforce Development Across 8 States | NIST](https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/09/nist-awards-more-17-million-support-cybersecurity-workforce-development) - National Institute of Standards and Technology (.gov)