Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities | DHS 21 CISA 127 CWDT001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 21 CISA 127 CWDT001

The Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opportunity administered through the Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division under Funding Opportunity Number DHS 21 CISA 127 CWDT001 (CFDA 97.127). It is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which generally means the government expects an active partnership with awardees during implementation rather than a simple pass-through of funds. The program sits in the broader funding activity area of community development and disaster prevention and relief, reflecting the idea that a stronger cybersecurity workforce supports public resilience and continuity of critical services.

At its core, this pilot is designed to expand the cybersecurity talent pipeline by tapping into the underutilized potential within underserved communities. The focus is on leveraging established or emerging non-traditional technical training providers, meaning organizations outside the standard college or university track that can move people into job-ready roles through alternative models. The intent is to either create new entry-level cybersecurity training and apprenticeship programs or strengthen and scale ones that already exist, with an emphasis on practical pathways into the workforce. The program is specifically oriented toward entry-level preparation and on-ramps, which can include training aligned to real job roles, hands-on skills development, and structured apprenticeships that help participants gain paid, supervised experience.

A key requirement highlighted in the description is the need for a comprehensive retention strategy that supports participants from apprenticeship through placement. In other words, the government is not only looking for training and apprenticeship slots, but also for a deliberate plan to keep learners engaged, reduce drop-off, and improve the conversion from apprenticeship participation to actual employment outcomes. This "cybersecurity pathways retention strategy" is framed as a way to optimize and expand training and apprenticeship efforts by ensuring that participants are supported through the critical transition from learning to working. While the announcement summary does not spell out specific tactics, the intent clearly points toward structured engagement and wraparound approaches that improve completion and placement results.

The broader workforce goal is to help meet cybersecurity staffing needs across multiple types of employers, including federal agencies and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, as well as traditional private-sector employers. By expanding apprenticeships and strengthening entry-level pathways, the pilot aims to address both current shortages and future demand, particularly in public-sector and public-serving environments where cybersecurity capacity is increasingly tied to service delivery, emergency readiness, and critical infrastructure protection.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that are either 501(c)(3) entities (other than institutions of higher education) or nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also other than institutions of higher education). This points to an expectation that mission-driven organizations with experience serving communities, delivering workforce programs, or operating training pipelines will be central implementers. The opportunity does not list colleges and universities as eligible under these categories, reinforcing the emphasis on non-traditional training providers and community-oriented workforce intermediaries.

In terms of funding, the award ceiling is $2,000,000, and DHS anticipated making 2 awards under this opportunity. The original application closing date was August 25, 2021, and the opportunity was created on July 13, 2021. Taken together, the structure suggests a relatively competitive pilot with a small number of sizable awards intended to demonstrate scalable models for training, apprenticeship expansion, and retention-to-placement strategies within underserved communities.

• The Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the community development, disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.127.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-08-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DHS 21 CISA 127 CWDT001

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