Our nation faces unprecedented cybersecurity risks, including increasingly sophisticated adversaries, widespread vulnerabilities in commonly used hardware and software, and broad dependencies on network technologies for the day-to-day operation of critical infrastructure. Cyber risk management is further complicated by the ability of malicious actors to operate remotely, linkages between cyber and physical systems, and the difficulty of reducing vulnerabilities. Strengthening cybersecurity practices and the resilience of state and local governments is a vital homeland security mission and the primary focus of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP).

The SCLGP is a reimbursable, federally funded pass-through grant program to assist local and tribal with managing and reducing systematic cyber risk. Must ensure at least 80% is passed through to local governements  As  part of the local governement pass through requirement, 25% must be pass through to rural areas.  Per the Homeland Security Act of 2002, a rural area is defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302 as an area encompassing a population of less than 50,000 people that has not been designated in the most recent decennial census as an “urbanized area” by the Secretary of Commerce.

Applications for the 2022/2023 SLCGP Grant are currently closed.  Please check back in February 2025 for the next round of applications.