Sponsors (2)
The bill invests federal resources to build a more diverse, job-ready energy-sector cybersecurity workforce through funded training and lab placements, at the cost of increased DOE spending and with risks from implementation capacity and uneven institutional access.
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in energy-related cybersecurity fields receive funded scholarships, fellowships, R&D opportunities, and hands-on traineeships at DOE National Laboratories and utilities, improving job readiness and strengthening the pipeline into energy-sector cybersecurity careers.
Students at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other minority-serving institutions gain targeted outreach and expanded access to cybersecurity education and training, promoting diversity and inclusion in the energy cybersecurity workforce.
Congress, taxpayers, and stakeholders gain transparency and early oversight because DOE must report within one year on program design, implementation, and outcomes.
Taxpayers may face increased federal spending because the program requires new appropriations or reallocation of DOE funds to finance scholarships, fellowships, and traineeships.
Program outcomes depend on DOE capacity and cooperation from National Laboratories and utilities; administrative delays or limited lab placements could reduce the number and quality of trainee opportunities.
Institutions that are not designated HBCUs or MSIs, or that lack strong ties to labs/utilities, risk receiving fewer awards, which could concentrate benefits and limit geographic and institutional reach.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOE program to fund competitive scholarships, fellowships, and university R&D for graduate/postdoc training in energy cybersecurity with lab/utilities traineeships and outreach to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
Introduced April 21, 2025 by Deborah K. Ross · Last progress April 21, 2025
Creates a Department of Energy program to fund competitive scholarships, fellowships, and university-based R&D that train graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in energy-related cybersecurity. The program must provide traineeship opportunities at National Laboratories and utilities, conduct outreach to HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, and report to Congress on program development within one year.