The Florida Center for Cyber Security (Cyber Florida) is pleased to announce that the Call for Applications for the $20-million Cybersecurity and Information Technology Pathways Grant Program (Cyber/IT Pathways) is now open and available for download at cyberflorida.org/pathways. Funded by the Florida Department of Education, Cyber Florida has been selected to serve as the program office for the Cyber/IT Pathways program, which aims to expand access to and the capacity of cybersecurity and information technology education programs across Florida’s public education entities.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the funding at a press conference in Tampa on March 2, saying, “Expanding Florida’s commitment to creating opportunities in cybersecurity and IT is a top priority to keep our communities safe and our state secure. This funding will not only create opportunities for Floridians seeking jobs in this important field but will also improve our national defense, protect Floridians and their businesses, and maintain the integrity of our elections. By doubling available opportunities in this field, Florida continues to lead.”
The program will be administered through three regional coordinators, with approximately one-third of the funding serving the Greater Tampa Bay Area, coordinated by the University of South Florida; one-third serving the Greater Miami Area, coordinated by Florida International University; and one-third serving at-large projects around the state, coordinated by a third State University System institution to be named.
Any Florida public education entity, including public school districts; post-secondary technical career centers and charter technical career centers; Florida College System (FCS) institutions; and State University System (SUS) institutions (defined further under Florida statutes §1001.30, §1001.44, §1002.34, §1000.21(3), and §1000.21(6)) may apply for funding under this program.
The types of programs that will be considered for funding include, but are not limited to the following:
- Elementary, middle, high school, college, and working adult student courses and curricula
- Secondary continuing technical education (CTE) courses/programs
- Non-credit training that includes preparation for industry certifications
- Registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs
- Training programs for existing workers and ‘upskilling’ for those in other industries
- Career/advanced technical certificates and applied technology degrees
- Teacher education and professional development
Please visit cyberflorida.org/pathways to learn more and download the Call for Applications.
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