# Senators Propose DoD Cyber Center Partnerships

Senators Jacky Rosen and Ted Budd introduced the proposed Cyber Centers of Excellence Partnership Act in late September/early October 2026; the signals give different introduction dates of September 24 and October 2. The bill would link Department of Defense advanced cyber operations units with universities designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency, supporting research collaboration, adversary analysis and emulation, operational experience, and pathways into federal cyber careers. It is a legislative proposal, not a contract award or solicitation, and the signals identify no funding, implementation schedule, or procurement requirements.

- If enacted, the program could create future opportunities for universities and contractors in cyber research, operational training, adversary analysis, and workforce development.
- Companies and academic institutions can assess whether their existing research, training, or recruitment capabilities align with the proposed activities; no funded opportunity or bid action is identified at this stage.
- Procurement teams should distinguish the proposed program from an active acquisition and follow the bill’s progress for any subsequent DoD program details or requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Policy
**Published:** October 05, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity

### Key Quotes
> By leveraging existing programs such as our CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) initiative, this legislation will accelerate recruitment, eliminate onboarding barriers for federal service, and empower UNLV students to defend the nation’s digital ecosystem.
> — Rama Venkat, Dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Engineering

> I’m proud to work across the aisle with Senator Rosen to strengthen the pipeline of cyber talent by establishing programs where students in our nation’s NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence can get real-world experience conducting critical cyber operations in defense of our homeland.
> — Ted Budd, U.S. Senator

> This bipartisan bill would ensure that our military and top universities can keep up with every wave of ever-changing cyber threats, while also attracting the country’s most talented young minds and bolstering our cyber-ready workforce.
> — Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Rosen, Budd Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity Readiness and Workforce Development  - Jacky Rosen](https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/10/02/rosen-budd-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-u-s-cybersecurity-readiness-and-workforce-development/) - Rosen Senate
- [Senators Propose Bill To Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce | AFCEA International](https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/cyber-edge/senators-propose-bill-strengthen-us-cybersecurity-workforce) - afcea.org