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Sign Up Now to Receive Cybersecurity Email Updates! This site provides information, tips, and funding news that will help your organization obtain grants to support your efforts to secure your most valuable information. Since the first virus was introduced to the public domain in the early 1980s—almost a decade before the world-wide web was released—securing information technologies from pervasive, often malicious interference has become an issue for every computer user. In February 2003 the White House released The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace . This document, which outlines national priorities needed to address growing threats, emphasizes that every organization and individual who depends on information technologies must be actively engaged in cybersecurity efforts . Effectively protecting and responding to cyber attacks is a complicated and often costly endeavor, but the costs of not doing so are even higher. To address this reality, federal and state agencies are offering a number of funding opportunities that may help your organization protect your most important information resources. We hope you use this site to find funding opportunities, gather information to aid in your planning and proposal development, and learn about different strategies to protect and defend your organization’s network. Cybersecurity has become a challenge not just for every organization, but for every individual who uses a computer to access, house, or create information. How to Use This Site Be sure to register for e-mail updates , then take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the site. It will provide you with information, tips, and guidance to help enhance your ability to develop high quality proposals for the program. Please note that this site is not intended to replace official guidance for this program, but rather to provide grantseekers with valuable know-how based on our years of experience with grants development. In any case, the official guidance provided by the grantmaking agency supercedes any information provided in this site. Also visit our other program-specific sites: Firefighter Assistance Grants Distance Learning/Telemedicine Grants Intelligent Transportation Systems Funding Port Security Grants Cyber Security Grants Workshop This section will provide you with information and guidance to help make you more successful at obtaining grant funds to support your organization’s cybersecurity needs. Cybersecurity is now an issue for every organization, regardless of size, mission, or resources. We recognize, however, that each organization has different cybersecurity needs, and there is no single solution or grant program to address them all. These pages include resources for different organization types, which we hope will help you understand developments in cybersecurity that are pertinent to your public sector organization. Feel free to browse through the information available here and throughout the remainder of the site, and don't forget to register for e-mail updates! Education Cybersecurity and Educational Organizations K-12 schools and institutions of higher education have unique security needs. In many cases, they lack adequate support for their information technologies. Financing the salaries of information technology professionals, for example, often is daunting, if not impossible. The sophistication of users can create mixed problems as well. Users who are ill-informed about security risks can jeopardize the entire network. Conversely, sophisticated users may attempt to misuse the system. It is commonly cited, and supported by surveys, that approximately 80% of cyber-intruders are insiders, i.e. members or constituents of an organization who gain unauthorized access. In K-12 schools, protecting the network also means protecting the children who use it. Information on Symantec’s approach to cybersecurity in America ’s schools can be found on their Web site. K-12 Grants - Emergency Response Plans for School Safety Initiative - 21 st Century Community Learning Centers K-12 Resources What issues must schools consider involving cybersecurity and what technologies exist to assistthem in their efforts? Weaving a Secure Web Around Education: A Guide toTechnology Standards and Security, the National Forum on Education Statistics ---------------------------------------------------------- Easy tips for kids on how to keep your computer free of viruses. Internet Safety Tips for Elementary and Middle School Students, their Teachers and Families,Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance ---------------------------------------------------------- Tips to teens and young adults on anti-virus protection and cybersecurity. Top Ten Cyber Security Tips for Teens, their Teachers and Families, Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance ---------------------------------------------------------- Issues for school administrators to consider when formulating a cybersecurity policy. Cybersecurity Super Tech News, BLE Group ---------------------------------------------------------- Links to sources that provide information on how to make children’s online experiences safe, enjoyable, and educational. Internet Safety Resource, the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Grants - Digital Government [NSF] - Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) [NSF] - Information Technology Research for National Priorities [NSF] - Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) - Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Higher Education Resources Educause, a leading organization promoting the effective use of information technologies in higher education, responds to the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace. Includes policy recommendations and “next steps.” Higher Education Contribution to National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace --------------------------------------------------------- A summary and assessment of recent dialogues on cybersecurity by the Higher Education Information Technology Alliance. HEIT Computer and Network Security ---------------------------------------------------------- Synopsis of former presidential advisor Richard Clarke’s remarks at the Indiana Higher Education Cybersecurity Summit. Eweek, “Clarke Addresses University Cybersecurity” --------------------------------------------------------- What does recent legislation and industry regulations mean for your campus’s cybersecurity policy? Includes an assessment of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Patriot Act, HIPAA, California SB1386, the Visa USA Cardholder Information Security Program, and the NASA IT Security Clause. Syllabus Magazine, “IT Security on Campus: A Fragile Equilibrium” ---------------------------------------------------------- How can campuses protect their networks against emerging threats while promoting traditional college and university values such as academic freedom? Includes information on current best practices for reducing the risk posed by blended threats. Syllabus Magazine, “Blended Threats: A New Risk to Academic Freedom” --------------------------------------------------------- How are colleges and universities responding to the rash of worm attacks that devastated campus computing in fall 2003? E-Commerce News, “Schools Rethink Network Security Healthcare Cybersecurity and Healthcare The nature and sensitivity of data stored at healthcare organizations requires such institutions to handle their electronic information with extreme care. In the aftermath of cataclysmic events, such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, it is of utmost importance that the information infrastructure that enables healthcare professionals to respond with high-levels of efficiency and coordination is not compromised. As most healthcare professionals know, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires healthcare agencies to ensure by April 2005 that electronic patient data is stored in a confidential and secure manner. The Symantec website has information on product solutions specifically designed to address HIPAA requirements: Symantec Enterprise Security Management and Symantec’s HIPAA Readiness Security Service . Beyond the risk of jeopardizing federally-protected, confidential patient information, there are a variety of reasons to ensure that your healthcare institution practices sound cybersecurity. Protecting against the loss or manipulation of critical information, the electronic theft of proprietary information, and damage to computer-based medical equipment, as well as simple issues of productivity and efficiency, all depend upon protecting the integrity of your organization’s network. Grants Resources How hospitals learn to live with and avoid the threats posed by viruses and worms. Health-IT World, “Computer Viruses Afflict Hospitals, Which Learn to Cope” ---------------------------------------------------------- A description of the various ways the recent spate of viruses and worms have effected healthcare professionals. American Medical News, “Preventative Medicine Key, Even for Computer Viruses” ---------------------------------------------------------- “Small” IT problems, such as spam and file-sharing, can create large losses over time. Includes information on Boston-based Partners HealthCare System’s approach to mitigating losses in time, productivity, and bandwidth caused by spam. CIO Magazine, “Why You Should Sweat the Small Stuff” ---------------------------------------------------------- A discussion of potential cyberterrorist events that may cripple healthcare institutions. Healthcare Informatics Online, “Healthcare IT’s Perfect Storm?” Homeland Security The major impetus behind the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace , released by the White House in February 2003, is the concern that our national reliance on information technologies additionally means that we and the infrastructures upon which we depend are all subject to new vulnerabilities. As the report states, “Of primary concern is the threat of organized cyber attacks capable of causing debilitating disruption to our Nation’s critical infrastructures, economy or national security (viii).” Keeping America and Americans safe will require unprecedented levels of coordination and cooperation across our society: coordination that could be immensely aided through the employment of information technologies, or crippled in the event that those technologies fail. Tantamount to homeland security, in addition to the economic and physical well-being of American citizens, is the need to keep our information resources secure from theft, manipulation, loss, or degradation. Grants - Airport Improvement Program [DOT] - Port Security Grants Program [DHS, TSA] - Urban Areas Initiative Resources - The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace - Department of Homeland Security, Information and Infrastructure - The National Institute of Standards and Technology, “Cybersecurity Research and Development” State & Local Government Financing cybersecurity solutions for state and local governments can be particularly challenging. Governments encompass a wide variety of agencies and missions and, in the current economic climate, frequently must make due with ever-diminishing resources. Most fundamental of all, governments must provide for the safety of their citizenry. This requires a high assurance of network stability, especially in times of crisis. Yet despite these challenges, governments of all types are pursuing innovative, growth-oriented technology plans that promise to be immensely important to citizens. The links below provide information on the various approaches different governmental bodies have taken to enhance cybersecurity and provide for the welfare of their constituencies. Grants - Digital Government (NSF) - Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) - Urban Areas Initiative - Homeland Security Resources - The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace - Department of Homeland Security, Information and Infrastructure - The National Institute of Standards and Technology, “Cybersecurity Research and Development” - The National Governors Association - The National League of Cities - The NASCIO (National Association of State Chief Information Officers) 2003-2004 Strategic Plan - Government Computer News Tips for Writing a Proposal Be specific in your budget Most funders have no restrictions or very broad allowances for budget narratives, because they want to see specifically what you plan to buy with grant funds. Be as specific as you can, with some justification for estimates you will inevitably have to make.
Be judicious in involving others in your project
It may seem like a good idea to include as many officials and partners as possible in your project, but be sure each partner you have contributes to the project in a meaningful way.
Make sure your letters of support for the project demonstrate real commitment
Like pieces to a puzzle, your support letters should document the commitment of the project collaborators toward meeting all the objectives and milestones of the project.
Be sure your narrative and budget are consistent
Everything in the budget should be justified in the narrative. Generally, you'll also want to explain, either in the project narrative or budget narrative, why you chose to use one approach, solution, or technology over another.
Customize each proposal
Although certain funding sources may have similar guidelines and your project plan may be the same for the sources you're applying to, build each proposal based on what you know (and what you can learn) about the funder or program.
Specify Who will do What by When and Why
Include a detailed workplan in your narrative that identifies responsibilities and timelines for each activity and that connects each activity to one or more of the objectives you have articulated in the proposal.
Use statistics to document need
Statistics are available from a variety of sources, and they help justify the need you will use to build a case for support. The statistics you use may be general, as in census data, or specific to your field, such as fire metrics.
Make your objectives measurable and realistic
If at all possible, avoid broad, unfocused objectives. Instead, try to focus on specific, realistic outcomes that will result from implementing the project you propose. The objectives should be measurable within a certain time frame, so you will know whether you have been successful at meeting certain objectives by a certain date.
Learn all you can about the funder before you submit a proposal
Attend bidders' conferences and call the funder program staff to make sure you understand what the program is all about. Most funding programs have personalities, aspects common to all funded projects. Get to know the personalities of the grant programs to which you intend to apply.
Submit good reports on time
Funders at all levels spend a great deal of time tracking down reports from their awardees. Even if the results of your project are not great, submit your reports on time. In doing so, you'll begin to build a good working relationship with the funder. Most funders understand that many issues can influence the successful achievement of your project objectives, but they all frown on failing to file complete reports on time.
Help Desk The Grants Office Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 9AM-6PM EST for organizations currently engaged with Grants Office. You can reach the Help Desk by phone at 585-473-1430 or by e-mail at info@grantsoffice.com. CYber Security Grants Offerings With over 30 years of experience working with the highest levels of government on national security issues, Oracle remains a leader in helping governments and enterprises achieve their homeland security goals. Oracle offers the industry's only integrated suite of business applications, the Oracle E-Business Suite, built on the powerful, secure Oracle Database 10g-delivering integrated, and consistent data across and among enterprises. Oracle currently powers many of the nation's critical information systems-in financial centers, government agencies, utilities, hospitals, and educational institutions at home and abroad. Whether used in an Oracle-only environment or integrated with other vendor and legacy systems, our product footprint shows Oracle's ability to face the homeland security challenges of the 21st century. As for Cyber Security funding, Oracle is ready to assist with locating and applying for grant funding for information technology solutions. Oracle can help in several ways: - Provide technical assistance for information sharing-products, consulting services, and support for formula grants
- Provide research and coordination to find applicable competitive grant programs
- Assist with grant writing for competitive programs by providing technical content and other application support as needed
Grants Office Resource Guide Grants Office has services to meet the grants development needs of any organization or municipality. For more information, click on: www.grantsoffice.com Grants Office Services Grants Office, LLC provides innovative grants development services that enable corporations, municipalities and non-profit organizations to maximize their grant initiatives and develop more strategic and integrated processes for seeking, managing and administering grants. We provide research and advisory services to organizations looking for grant funding directly and to for-profit enterprises that provide products and solutions to the public sector. Our consultants focus on proven ways of developing integrated grant programs by leveraging our years of experience in creating long-term grantseeking strategies.
Based in Rochester, NY Grants Office has a unique business model that incorporates the company's strong history of grant consulting and unique approach to grant funding, enabling it to build a truly credible bridge between public sector business needs, vendor solutions and the funding necessary for program and solution success. Grants Office's growing customer base is a testament to the business and the quality of its services.
Grants Office focuses on providing both for-profit and nonprofit clients with the solutions necessary to manage and grow their specific grant development programs. Our solutions allow our clients to execute their grant strategies efficiently by reducing cost, lowering their risk and shrinking the typical investment of time and resources needed.
Based on the idea that grants development is an integrated system made up of four key areas; Intelligence (research), Training, Support, and Proposal development; Grants Office offers our clients a systematic approach to securing grant funding. Leveraging a proven, systematic approach allows our clients to build upon an existing grants development infrastructure or embark on implementation of a completely new grants development program.
Grants Office provides a wide range of services encompassing all facets of successful grants development programs. In combination with one another or leveraged unto themselves each of our solutions plays a pivotal role in building and executing a robust grants development program.
Some of our solutions:
Intelligence (research) – custom grant program research, online grants database, grants development portal, program solution alignment, and annual grant planning.
Training – general grant process training, specific grant program training and national speaking engagements.
Support – web and phone based grants development help desk, grant program website development, and grant application review and editing.
Proposal Development – grant writing, program solution narratives, and grant application development
General Grants Development – outsourced grants development infrastructure, organizational needs assessment, grant strategy development, and organizational process implementation. Federal and State Grants Information ResourcesFedGrants.gov, the Federal source for grants information: www.fedgrants.gov The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov State Government Home Pages: www.firstgov.gov Contact Us Contact Grants Office Grants Office provides grants development support to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and industry partners through a variety of customized services. To find out how Grants Office can help you, contact Grants Office: On the Web: www.grantsoffice.com Phone: 585-473-1430 Fax: 585-473-1436 E-mail: info@grantsoffice.com Snail Mail: 69 Cascade Drive, Suite 102 Rochester, NY 14614 Status The status of the funding opportunity detailed in this site corresponds to where the funding is in the process of making its way to the ultimate recipients of the funding. Definitions of Grant Status Grants Office defines grant status using five terms- pending, appropriated, open, closed, and special. We define these terms as follows: Pending Pending programs are those that we expect to be offered in the coming year, based on: * Past years' program history, * Political support for the program, and/or * News from Capitol Hill that funding for the program will be appropriated. However, if a program is identified as "Pending," no funds have yet been appropriated for it. To learn more about the status of a particular Federal appropriation, visit the Library of Congress's Thomas Web Site. Note that when a grant's status is listed as "Pending," the deadline we list, though based on our best information, is subject to change until it is "Open," and an official deadline is published by the administering agency. Appropriated Once funding for a program has been appropriated by Congress and signed into law by the President, its status changes to "Appropriated." Appropriated programs have a budget but have not yet been officially announced by the administring agency. Official announcement (generally in grants.gov, the federal grants information portal) defines what is required of funding applicants, including narrative, budget, and submission guidelines. Open Official announcement of a grant program by the administering agency creates an "open" grant program...and the clock really begins ticking! The official Request for Proposals (or RFP, which may also be called a NOFA, "Notice of Funds Availability," or RFA, "Request for Applications," among other things) provides the first public glimpse into the current application requirements and fixed deadline. Closed Once a program's application deadline has passed, it is "closed," meaning the administering agency is no longer accepting applications. Since many grant programs are offered each fiscal year, the status could well shift back to "Pending" as the program undergoes consideration for inclusion in the next federal budget. Special "Special" status is currently used to describe earmark funding programs, because they have loose, informal time frames and do not follow many of the rules that govern traditional grant programs. The deadlines we provide for grants in "Special" status are intended to communicate when we believe, based on our experiences, are the best times to submit requests for these types of funding. They are not based on official guidance or published opportunities. For earmarks, it is most important to follow the advise of your Representative with respect to timing and organizing your request. 5 Easy Steps for Grant Submission Step 1: Pre-Season Training – Planning for your submission. Step 2: The Warm-up – Application preparation activities that can be completed ahead of time. Step 3: An Application Specific Game Plan. Step 4: The Competition – Producing your Application. Step 5: The Finish Line. Step 1: Pre-Season Training – Planning for your submission. • As far in advance as possible, decide which projects you're going to seek funding for and start looking for the appropriate funding sources that appear be a good match. • Subscribe to the appropriate opportunity notification mailing lists so that you remain aware of current opportunities and their corresponding submission schedules. Obtain application guidelines and any other necessary application materials. In the case of the Assistance to Firefighters Program, electronically submitted applications are preferred. If you must apply with a paper application, official application forms must be obtained by calling 866-274-0960. No other paper application forms will be accepted. • Make sure your organization and/or municipality are eligible to receive funds from the programs and sources you've identified. If you are unsure, contact the funder directly, explain your status and confirm your eligibility. • Make a calendar of anticipated grant submission deadlines that is highly visible to you and your staff. Step 2: The Warm-up – Application preparation activities that can be completed ahead of time. One of the primary steps for executing a successful grant submission is maintaining a library of support materials designed to aid in grant submission. Remember to continually work on compiling and preparing required documents and programmatic support materials so that you don't come up short at deadline time. • Put together packets of critical documents you'll need for grant applications, and make sure to update them regularly (2-3 times a year). Examples, depending on the type of organization, may include a copy of the most recent audit for your organization, your IRS letter of Determination (501c3 status), current government contracts confirming your role as a service provider, a complete listing of Staff and the Board of Directors, or pertinent certification requirements. • Maintain electronic and hard copy document files of cover letters, proposals, budgets and other standard documents that can be modified for various opportunities. • Compose letters of support in advance so you can provide a sample letter with your request. • Research statistics and obtain evidence to support your claims in advance of your scheduled proposal deadlines. Maintain a newspaper-clipping file and keep extra program brochures to include with your submission. • Develop and maintain programmatic partnerships on a long-term basis. Effective partnerships that demonstrate sustainability and efficient program design are attractive to funders. Step 3: An Application Specific Game Plan • Using your application guidelines as your template, spend valuable time to develop a checklist of all application related tasks. • Break down the tasks into a proposal outline that reflects the organization of the application itself and apply a timeline for proposed completion for each task, as well as outline the procedure for completion (i.e. “submit to project manager in hard copy and electronic format”). • You may also want to include an area that identifies each task's status (in progress, complete, not yet started). • Then, for each task or group of tasks, assign a person and/or department responsible for completing them. • Distribute the checklist to everyone on it, as well as to supervisors and program managers. When developing your schedule for completion, you should carefully consider practical programmatic realities, such as the time it might take to obtain notarized or certified documents and whether the task can be completed internally or will require outside consultation, etc. Remember also that many applications now require electronic submission. Subsequently, you will have to allow time for the electronic submission process. Include editing and proofreading as part of your Game Plan task checklist and provide time during the Finish Line period for re-writes, programmatic corrections and budget review. The editing/proofreading portion should also include rectifying the narrative with the budget, ensuring that all programmatic claims are adequately delineated in the budget. Your Game Plan may be modified as you proceed, but should always serve as your primary organizational document and should include everything that must be completed for a successful submission. A well-designed Game Plan will help ensure the successful development of your proposal and will make all the difference. Step 4: The Competition – Producing your Application Fully review the program and application guidelines. Make notes and develop your application with the same organizational structure that is provided in the guidelines, making sure to carefully coordinate your proposed project design and budget request together. It is important to remember that any expenditure you propose must be utilized for an approved use and you will have to demonstrate their potential impact upon project design and implementation, as well as upon anticipated project outcomes. • Respond to the specific request for funds first and develop your application from there. • Don't be afraid to edit and omit in order to remain pertinent to the funder's information request. • Remember to answer open-ended questions as specifically as possible within the context of your proposed project and organization. • Provide statistics in relation to the project's objectives. • Don't modify your entire program or its objectives to make yourself eligible for a funding opportunity. Your lack of infrastructure and program planning will be obvious to the funder and your application will not be successful. • Enlist assistance with editing. Your application should be clearly presented and make sense to anyone who reads it, not just your professional peers. | 
