Opportunity Information: Apply for PD CTP 18 001

The Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) opportunity, titled "Expansion of a Portable Cybersecurity Education Teacher-Focused Model" (Funding Opportunity Number PD CTP 18 001), is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement. It is designed to expand and strengthen cybersecurity education and awareness in K-12 settings by focusing on teachers as the key delivery channel. The basic idea is to scale a portable, teacher-focused model that can be used across elementary, middle, and high school environments, so that cybersecurity concepts reach more students through better-prepared educators.

The opportunity is rooted in DHS's broader mission to secure civilian government computer systems and to work with industry and state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to protect critical infrastructure and information systems. DHS frames this work as encompassing threat and vulnerability reduction, the distribution of threat warnings, and coordination of responses to cyber incidents, with the end goal of keeping computers, networks, and cyber systems safe. The notice also ties the program to Presidential Policy Directive 21, which establishes DHS as the federal focal point for cybersecurity. Within DHS, the work aligns with the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Office of Cybersecurity and Communications and, more specifically, the Cybersecurity Education and Awareness Branch, which is responsible for efforts that help develop a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce for the nation.

Programmatically, CETAP emphasizes that building cybersecurity capacity starts early and depends heavily on equipping teachers to introduce cybersecurity training and awareness effectively. The description highlights a need not only to improve and broaden existing cybersecurity education programs, but also to implement a comprehensive engagement strategy to reach K-12 educators at scale. The rationale is that investing in educators multiplies impact: when teachers gain usable, portable instructional tools and support, many more students can benefit over time, increasing the long-term return on investment.

The intended outcomes connect cybersecurity education with the national STEM pipeline. DHS explicitly links this effort to increasing the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, and to strengthening recruitment and retention for the national cybersecurity workforce. In other words, the grant is positioned as both an education initiative and a workforce development strategy, aimed at building early awareness, interest, and foundational skills that can later translate into advanced study and careers in cybersecurity.

In terms of funding and eligibility, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,300,000 and anticipates making one award. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project, such as coordination, guidance, or collaboration on implementation. The CFDA number associated with the program is 97.127, and the funding activity category is listed as Disaster Prevention and Relief and Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting DHS's view of cybersecurity readiness as part of national resilience.

Key administrative details include a creation date of July 11, 2018, with an original closing date of August 3, 2018. The awarding agency is the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at scaling a teacher-centered, portable cybersecurity education approach to expand cybersecurity awareness and training for K-12 students nationwide, strengthening the future talent pipeline needed to protect U.S. cyber infrastructure.

  • The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the disaster prevention and relief, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP): Expansion of a Portable Cybersecurity Education Teacher-Focused Model" 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 Jul 11, 2018.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 03, 2018 No Explanation. (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 $4,300,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant opportunity?

The Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) opportunity is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement. The specific opportunity is titled "Expansion of a Portable Cybersecurity Education Teacher-Focused Model" and is intended to expand and strengthen cybersecurity education and awareness in K-12 settings by focusing on teachers as the primary delivery channel for cybersecurity concepts.

What is the official title and funding opportunity number for this grant?

The official title is "Expansion of a Portable Cybersecurity Education Teacher-Focused Model." The Funding Opportunity Number is PD CTP 18 001.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to scale a portable, teacher-focused cybersecurity education model that can be used across elementary, middle, and high school environments. The intent is to reach more students by equipping educators with usable instructional tools and support so they can effectively introduce cybersecurity training and awareness in their classrooms.

Why does the program focus on teachers instead of directly on students?

The opportunity is designed around the idea that teachers are a high-impact delivery channel. By investing in educators and providing portable instructional resources, the program aims to multiply impact over time: better-prepared teachers can repeatedly deliver cybersecurity concepts to many cohorts of students, increasing long-term reach and return on investment.

What does "portable" mean in the context of the cybersecurity education model?

Based on the opportunity description, "portable" refers to a model that can be used across different K-12 environments and grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school). The emphasis is on a teacher-focused approach that can be implemented broadly, rather than being limited to a single school type, district structure, or one-off setting.

What types of schools or grade levels are intended to benefit from this project?

The project is intended to support cybersecurity education and awareness across K-12 settings, explicitly including elementary, middle, and high school environments.

How does DHS connect this program to its broader cybersecurity mission?

DHS positions the program within its broader mission to secure civilian government computer systems and to work with industry and state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to protect critical infrastructure and information systems. DHS frames this work as reducing threats and vulnerabilities, distributing threat warnings, and coordinating responses to cyber incidents, with the goal of keeping computers, networks, and cyber systems safe.

How is this opportunity tied to national cybersecurity policy?

The notice ties the program to Presidential Policy Directive 21, which establishes DHS as the federal focal point for cybersecurity. The work also aligns with DHS components responsible for cybersecurity education and awareness efforts.

Which DHS office is associated with the cybersecurity education focus described in the notice?

Within DHS, the opportunity aligns with the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, and more specifically the Cybersecurity Education and Awareness Branch, which is described as responsible for efforts that help develop a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce for the nation.

Is this grant described as an education initiative, a workforce initiative, or both?

Both. The opportunity is described as expanding cybersecurity education and awareness in K-12 settings while also supporting workforce development goals. DHS explicitly links early cybersecurity education to strengthening the national STEM pipeline and improving recruitment and retention for the national cybersecurity workforce.

What outcomes is DHS trying to achieve through this grant?

The intended outcomes include expanding cybersecurity awareness and training for K-12 students by strengthening teacher capacity, and supporting longer-term national goals such as increasing the number of STEM graduates and strengthening recruitment and retention for the national cybersecurity workforce.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $4,300,000.

How many awards does DHS expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates making one award.

What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project, such as coordination, guidance, or collaboration on implementation. The notice characterizes this opportunity as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, signaling that DHS may be actively involved as the project is carried out.

Who is eligible to apply for this CETAP opportunity?

Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education.

Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

No. The eligibility statement restricts applicants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that are not institutions of higher education.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number associated with CETAP is 97.127.

How is the funding activity category described?

The funding activity category is listed as Disaster Prevention and Relief and Science and Technology and other Research and Development. This reflects DHS's view of cybersecurity readiness as part of national resilience and preparedness.

Which DHS office is listed as the awarding agency/office for this opportunity?

The awarding agency is the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The creation date listed for the opportunity is July 11, 2018.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date listed is August 3, 2018.

What is the overall program strategy described in the notice?

The notice emphasizes expanding and strengthening existing cybersecurity education and awareness efforts by implementing a comprehensive engagement strategy that reaches K-12 educators at scale. The core approach is to scale a teacher-centered model so cybersecurity concepts are introduced more broadly and consistently across schools.

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