Commerce’s Cybersecurity Grant Closed to New Applications
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced today that its Montana Cybersecurity Grant Program is now closed to new applications in advance of its former deadline of April 30, 2024.
“Commerce’s Cybersecurity Grant Program currently has applications waiting for review and approval equal to or in excess of available funding,” said Sarah Jordt, acting Administrator of Commerce’s Business MT Division. “Per program guidelines, applications were accepted on a first come, first served basis until funds have been fully obligated. Rather than continuing to collect applications up to our previous deadline of April 30 knowing that we cannot fund them all, we chose to close the grant to further applications.”
Jordt added that an email will be sent to all applicants who will not be awarded due to lack of available funding, once Commerce has expended all funds.
The grant program helps small to medium-sized Montana businesses assess their cybersecurity readiness and enhance or develop their cybersecurity plans. Commerce initially announced the grant’s availability in October 2023; in February 2024, it announced the extension of the grant deadline to April 30, 2024. Eligible Montana businesses can receive up to $8,000 of funding for reimbursement of newly implemented cybersecurity measures paid to an accredited Montana cybersecurity company for monitoring and security equipment and programs.
The funding for this program was one time only through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Montana Economic Transformation, Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission reallocated $2,200,000 for cybersecurity monitoring and training programs. Commerce contracted with Missoula College through the CyberMontana Security Awareness training program for $250,000 to promote business and employee validation training. The remaining $1,950,000 was awarded to businesses through the Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Montana’s small/medium-sized business owners interested in assessing their cybersecurity readiness can visit Montana’s Small Business Development Center Network for cybersecurity manuals, materials and training.
“Commerce’s Cybersecurity Grant Program currently has applications waiting for review and approval equal to or in excess of available funding,” said Sarah Jordt, acting Administrator of Commerce’s Business MT Division. “Per program guidelines, applications were accepted on a first come, first served basis until funds have been fully obligated. Rather than continuing to collect applications up to our previous deadline of April 30 knowing that we cannot fund them all, we chose to close the grant to further applications.”
Jordt added that an email will be sent to all applicants who will not be awarded due to lack of available funding, once Commerce has expended all funds.
The grant program helps small to medium-sized Montana businesses assess their cybersecurity readiness and enhance or develop their cybersecurity plans. Commerce initially announced the grant’s availability in October 2023; in February 2024, it announced the extension of the grant deadline to April 30, 2024. Eligible Montana businesses can receive up to $8,000 of funding for reimbursement of newly implemented cybersecurity measures paid to an accredited Montana cybersecurity company for monitoring and security equipment and programs.
The funding for this program was one time only through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Montana Economic Transformation, Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission reallocated $2,200,000 for cybersecurity monitoring and training programs. Commerce contracted with Missoula College through the CyberMontana Security Awareness training program for $250,000 to promote business and employee validation training. The remaining $1,950,000 was awarded to businesses through the Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Montana’s small/medium-sized business owners interested in assessing their cybersecurity readiness can visit Montana’s Small Business Development Center Network for cybersecurity manuals, materials and training.
Tags: Business MT
