NOFO: Global Emerging Leaders in International Cyberspace Security (US)

Deadline: 15-Jul-2024

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) announces an open competition for the Global Emerging Leaders in International Cyberspace Security (GEL-ICS).

Strategic Program Goals and Objectives

• This project should contribute to the following two CDP strategic goals and objectives outlined in the Functional Bureau Strategy, and one DCCP Pillar.
• Bureau Goal 1: Advance cyber and digital policies that align with U.S. national interests and foreign policy objectives.
• Objective 1.1: Deepen relationships with existing U.S. allies and partners, forge new partnerships, and engage with a range of countries to advance a common vision for the Internet and digital technologies.
• DCCP Pillar: 
  • Pillar 4: Enhance Cybersecurity by increasing adoption and implementation of cybersecurity best practices.

Project Goals, Objectives, Expected Outcomes and Activities

• The GEL-ICS program will build a cohesive group of leaders working on issues in cyberspace who are committed to the UN-affirmed Framework of Responsible State Behavior and will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and global connections to be effective advocates and champions of the Framework through the fellowship and other activities.
• Project Objective 1: Position each cohort to form the core of a global network of future cyber influencers supportive of the UN-affirmed Framework of Responsible State Behavior.
  • Expected Outcomes 
    • A cohesive cohort of fellows committed to continuing connections with other fellows and their contacts at the U.S. Department of State and CDP.
    • An engaged alumni group that is interested in mentoring and/or continuing to network with successive cohorts.
    • Applicant should insert additional outcomes as needed.
  • Activities
    • To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project must include the following, but not limited to:
      • Under the guidance of the CDP team, coordinate and execute a two-week visit for the fellows in spring of 2025 to the United States, which comprise creating itineraries to include engagements with cyber leaders/agencies/entities in government and the multistakeholder communities for stops in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco.
      • Under the guidance of the CDP team, coordinate and execute six virtual webinars for the fellows after the trip to the United States in the summer and early fall of 2025 to include identifying and coordinating with guest speakers. To encourage networking across cohorts, invite alumni from previous cohorts to some virtual events.
      • Under the guidance of the CDP team, coordinate and execute a trip in fall of 2025 to an international cyber and technology conference that will serve as the concluding event of the 2025 GEL-ICS cohort.
      • Maintain and enhance a dedicated virtual platform or platforms (e.g., Teams, WhatsApp, Canvas, etc.) to bolster engagement for both current and previous fellows. These platforms and the data they contain must be transferrable to the U.S. Department of State control at the end of the agreement’s period of performance.
• Project Objective 2: Increase participant knowledge and understanding of the Framework and its elements, and appreciation of the value its implementation provides to participants’ countries and to global peace and stability.
  • Expected Outcomes 
    • Fellows will demonstrate increased knowledge about the Framework and its application to international conduct in cyberspace and will be able to identify how to promulgate or apply this knowledge in their home countries.
  • Activities
    • To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project must include the following, but not limited to:
      • Detailed surveys measuring fellows’ knowledge of the relevant issues. At a minimum these surveys should be conducted before and after the U.S. trip as well as after the program completion.
      • Feedback on the webinar series must be obtained via quick surveys following each webinar
      • Annual check-ins to facilitate data collection from alumni cohorts must be part of the overall program. These check-ins must include questions about individual and national progress and how the knowledge obtained during the fellowship is being applied within the fellows’ home countries. The implementer should strive to collect data on specific programs, projects, policies, or initiatives that the fellows’ advanced or contributed to as a result of their GEL-ICS participation.
• Project Objective 3: Grow and strengthen (in numbers and expertise) the likeminded community by forging stronger ties between the USG and individuals likely to wield influence on approaches to cyber issues in their respective countries in the present and future.
  • Expected Outcomes 
    • Achievement of Project Objective 3 is expected to result in the following outcomes:
      • Fellows will serve as trusted and reliable interlocutors between their governments and the USG.
  • Activities
    • To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project must include the following:
      • A detailed plan for continued alumni engagement, to include a method of tracking fellows’ relevant cyber diplomacy activity as a POC or interlocutor for the government, must be devised.

Funding Information

• Total Funding: $900,000 USD
• Period of Performance: 18 months
• Number of Applications: One (1) per applicant organization
• Anticipated Time to Award: August 2024

Performance Indicators

• In addition to project-specific indicators to monitor key milestones and progress to keep the project on track, implementers will report against relevant indicators within the performance management plan CDP established under the auspices of the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Program (DCCP). At a minimum, implementers will be required to report on the following indicators and milestones for the duration of this project (DCCP indicators are noted):
  • Indicator 1 (DCCP 4.13): Number of countries improving implementation of the UN-affirmed Framework of Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace components due to USG support. (outcome)
  • Indicator 3: (DCCP 4.12) Number of institutions with new or improved cybersecurity or cyberspace security capacity, policies, or procedures due to USG assistance. (output)
  • Indicator 2: (DCCP 4.3) Number of USG supported fora held to convene key stakeholders for technical assistance or to discuss cybersecurity or cyberspace security issues or best practices. (output)
  • Indicator 3: Number of participants who enroll in virtual networking platforms associated with the project.
  • Indicator 4: Number of participants reporting or demonstrating increased knowledge in implementer-administered knowledge checks following program activities (webinars and trips).
  • Milestone Measure 1: Implementers will report progress on meeting participation by all fellows in all three stages of the program, including the U.S. visit, webinars, and graduation international trip, to include enrollment numbers and percentages for each phase.
  • Milestone Measure 2: Implementers will delineate and report progress on meeting specified benchmarks for participants’ continued engagement on virtual platforms.

Eligibility Criteria

• CDP welcomes applications from U.S.-based non-profit organizations subject to section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) status of the U.S. tax code; Public International Organizations (PIOs);) for-profit organizations or businesses.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the Merit Review Panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.