 grades, and technical skill preparation in high school—with progression into employment, higher education, entrepreneurship, or enlistment in the military. Examples of these programs include: • Through the CHIPS and Science Act, NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program provides planning grants to grow Cyber Workforce ecosystems. In May 2023, NSF announced 44 Engines Development Awards spanning 46 U.S. states and territories, each funded at up to $1 million over two years to plan for a future NSF Engine. • The annual NICE K-12 Cybersecurity Education Conference and NICE K-12 Community of Interest support the professional development of teachers and provide school administrators with the strategies and resources necessary to promote the discovery of cybersecurity careers. • In April 2023, NIST awarded cooperative agreements to 18 Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships Stimulating (RAMPS) cybersecurity education and workforce development program recipients in 15 different states, and in March 2023 introduced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for 15 additional awards. These RAMPS Communities created an integrated ecosystem of cybersecurity education and workforce development to support local and regional economies. • The Department of Education provides Career and Technical Education formula grants to states that can be used for cybersecurity skills development. • The General Services Administration (GSA) operates the cross-government U.S. Digital Corps (USDC) fellowship program. In 2023, USDC recruited 47 early career technology talents to the Federal Government, including nine Cybersecurity Fellows. • DOE has multiple cyber workforce and education programs targeting the energy sector. CyberForce is a collegiate cyber defense competition to test skills in team and individual competitions. The Operational Technology (OT) Defender Fellowship gives middle- and senior-level OT security managers in the energy sector the opportunity to learn about the strategies used to target energy infrastructure and the cybersecurity tools and tactics used to counter them. CyberStrike is a hands-on ICS-focused training that supports pipeline and re-skilling workforce development efforts for energy sector owners and operators. • In March 2024, DOE announced $15 million in funding to establish six university-based electric power cybersecurity centers that will foster collaboration across the energy sector to address gaps in energy security research and provide cybersecurity education. Departments and agencies are also crafting workforce development approaches that meet their specific needs, recognizing that a diverse and varied set of pathways can provide the skills needed in the cyber workforce. For example, DoD released the DoD Cyber Workforce Strategy 2023-2027 and accompanying implementation plan to address how the Department will foster a skilled and diverse cyber workforce. OPM has developed a legislative proposal addressing government-wide challenges and opportunities to strengthen and better compensate the Federal cyber workforce. 2024 REPORT 20 ON THE CYBERSECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES POSTURE