The USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity is seeking applications to propose creative and effective initiatives and solutions to strengthen the national preparedness, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and critical infrastructure (CI) of Ukraine in the cybersecurity sector.
The Annual Program Statement (APS) is developed to engage academia, science, and private sector players to enhance Ukraine’s cyber resilience and describes the process for identifying, selecting, and awarding funds to partners.
The purpose of this Annual Program Statement (APS) is to solicit applications for funding. Conclusively, the APS process enables partners to propose solutions that are partner-driven and sustainable.
Under this APS, the Activity is awarding grants which will focus on achieving one or more of the following objectives:
Component 1: Strengthen the Cybersecurity Enabling Environment to create a safe and trusted environment to accelerate the development of people, processes, and technology in support of cybersecurity across critical infrastructure sectors and assets in Ukraine; and
Component 2: Develop Ukraine’s Cybersecurity Workforce to strengthen Ukraine as a sovereign nation built on a secure, protected, and dynamic economy, supported by a talented pool of human capital; and
Component 3: Build a Resilient Cybersecurity Industry to stimulate demand for and supply of Ukrainian cybersecurity solutions and service providers to empower, equip, and finance cybersecurity entrepreneurs and businesses.
Objectives
The overall goal of the APS is to reduce and potentially eliminate cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and to transform Ukraine from a compromised, reactive cybersecurity actor to a proactive cybersecurity leader.
The objectives of the program are:
strengthen cyber resilience on the national level,
encourage investment in new cybersecurity technologies,
modernization of infrastructure at OCIs and GOU cybersecurity stakeholders,
implement international best practices in the area of cybersecurity,
strengthen collaboration between cybersecurity stakeholders.
Priorities
The Annual Program Statement is soliciting applications from private, science, NGO, or academia players that target to strengthen national cybersecurity system, build capacity of the Government of Ukraine (GOU) entities in the area of cybersecurity, and ensure secure operations of operators of critical infrastructure (OCIs).
Specifically, these applications should prioritize the following initiatives:
addressing identified gaps on the national level as well as sectoral ones,
conceptualized opportunities for GOU cybersecurity stakeholders and OCIs,
suggested capacity building programs for GOU cybersecurity stakeholders and OCIs,
strengthening collaboration between cybersecurity stakeholders,
adopting best international practices in cybersecurity,
building workforce development programs in cybersecurity,
targeted cybersecurity projects for GOU cybersecurity stakeholders and OCIs,
feasibility studies of identified national opportunities and ad hoc surveys in cybersecurity,
addressing skill gaps among cybersecurity professionals at GOU cybersecurity stakeholders and OCIs, etc.
Funding Information
Grant awards will generally range the UAH equivalent of USD 20,000 to 150,000.
DAI expects to award multiple grants and may choose to fully fund or incrementally fund the selected application(s). There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit.
DAI anticipates awarding grants for up to one year on a rolling basis.
Issuance of this APS in no way obligates DAI to award any grants, and applicants will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with the preparation of their applications.
Period of Performance: The start date will be upon award with a performance period of up to one year. Longer periods may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be a registered Ukrainian for-profit, not-for-profit non-governmental organization (NGOs), business/trade association, think tank, and/or private enterprise formally registered, constituted, and recognized by and in good standing with appropriate Ukrainian governmental authorities and laws of Ukraine, and compliant with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations.
This APS is issued as a public notice to ensure that all interested and eligible organizations have a fair opportunity to submit applications for funding. Eligible organizations could include foundations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions and international non-governmental organizations, higher educational institutions, private companies, or professional associations. Please note, for-profit organizations willing to forego profit may apply however restrictions on costs paid under grants to profit-making organizations apply.
Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures and present a system of internal controls that safeguard assets; protect against fraud, waste, and abuse; and support the achievement of program goals and objectives.
All domestic and foreign organizations which receive first-tier subcontracts/ purchase orders with a value of $30,000 and above are required to obtain a Unique Entity ID (SAM) prior to signing of the agreement. Your organization is exempt from this requirement if the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year was under the UAH equivalent of U.S. $300,000.
The Activity will work with the successful grantee to draft a marking and branding plan which will be annexed to the grant agreement.
Ineligible
The USAID Cybersecurity Activity will not award grants to the following entities:
Any governmental and state-owned enterprises (SOE).
Organizations from foreign policy restricted countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria);
Any U.S. entity which is a “Private Voluntary Organization” (PVO) but has not registered as such with USAID.
Any “Public International Organization” (PIO).
Organizations who have active exclusives in SAM (sam.gov). In addition, organizations are not eligible for awards if they have members who appear in the U.S. Department of Treasury’s List of Specially Designated Nationals (OFAC’s Sanctions List) and Blocked Persons or who have been designated by the United Nations Security (UNSC) sanctions committee established under UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999) (the 1267 Committee) as an individual or organization linked to terrorism.
Any entity affiliated with DAI and DAI subcontractors or any of its directors, officers, or employees.
