Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development

The Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development program is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This initiative is part of the NIST NICE program, which focuses on advancing cybersecurity workforce development across the United States. The program seeks to strengthen regional cybersecurity ecosystems by fostering partnerships among employers, educators, and workforce organizations to address critical skill shortages in cybersecurity occupations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the creation and expansion of community-based, multistakeholder partnerships that develop cybersecurity career pathways aligned with local workforce needs. These partnerships are expected to coordinate efforts among multiple employers experiencing workforce shortages and to design training and education programs that produce job-ready candidates. The program emphasizes regional collaboration and workforce alignment with industry demands, particularly in areas supporting critical infrastructure and economic development. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, indicating that NIST will have substantial involvement in the execution of funded projects. While specific funding amounts, ceilings, and floors are not disclosed in the available synopsis, the program anticipates making approximately sixteen awards. A cost sharing or matching requirement is explicitly required, though the exact percentage or ratio is not specified. Funds are expected to support activities such as program development, training implementation, partnership coordination, and workforce pipeline creation, consistent with the program’s objectives. Eligibility is broad and inclusive of most non-federal U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations incorporated in the United States, institutions of higher education, secondary school districts, training providers, economic development organizations, and state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. Individuals and sole proprietors are not eligible, nor are foreign organizations. Applicants must demonstrate a formal partnership structure that includes at least one employer or critical infrastructure operator and at least one additional qualifying organization such as a school, government agency, nonprofit, or training provider. Federal entities may participate only as unfunded collaborators. The application process requires submission through the Grants.gov system by the stated deadline. Applicants must include documentation demonstrating partnership commitments, including letters from required partners. While the synopsis does not detail all required application components, it implies the need for a comprehensive proposal outlining workforce needs, partnership structure, program design, and expected outcomes. Evaluation will prioritize strong regional partnerships, particularly those including institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity or those participating in federal cybersecurity education programs. The application window opened on April 13, 2026, and closes on May 28, 2026. There is no indication of recurring cycles, suggesting this is a single competition under the current notice. Awards are expected to follow after the review process, though specific notification timelines and project performance periods are not provided in the available material. For additional support or questions, applicants may contact the program via the listed email address at NIST.