# DOE Offers $100M Utility Cybersecurity Funding

The U.S. Department of Energy has opened a **$100 million** funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations to provide cybersecurity assistance to municipally owned, cooperative, and small investor-owned electric utilities. Applicants must show formal partnerships with at least six qualifying utilities. ConnectWerx is administering the opportunity alongside DOE, and applications are due **October 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. Eastern**—12 days from the current date.

- Nonprofit applicants should confirm that their utility partnerships meet the six-utility threshold and submit by the stated deadline.
- The opportunity covers support for smaller electric utilities; organizations providing cybersecurity technologies, services, training, threat information sharing, or technical assistance may find a role in delivery through eligible nonprofit applicants.
- The funding creates a defined opportunity for providers serving municipal, cooperative, and small investor-owned utilities to align their capabilities with the program’s cybersecurity assistance focus.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)

### Vendors
- ConnectWerx (Opportunity administrator)

### Key Quotes
> CESER is committed to closing the capability gap for small and rural operators by providing hands-on technical support, threat information sharing, and system hardening resources.
> — Andrew McClure, Director of CESER

### Sources
- [U.S. Energy Department Offers $100M for Utility Cybersecurity](https://www.govtech.com/security/u-s-energy-department-offers-100m-for-utility-cybersecurity) - GovTech