Sponsors (2)
The bill builds a targeted, diversity-focused pipeline of funded training and hands-on placements to strengthen the energy-sector cybersecurity workforce, but it requires federal spending and risks uneven access or delayed benefits if DOE and lab capacity are constrained.
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers gain funded scholarships, fellowships, R&D opportunities and hands-on traineeships at National Laboratories and utilities, improving preparation and job-readiness for energy-sector cybersecurity careers.
Targeted outreach and awards to HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other minority-serving institutions expand access and diversity in cybersecurity education and training.
A required report to Congress within one year provides early accountability and program details for stakeholders and taxpayers.
Establishing and running the program increases DOE expenditures and may require new appropriations or reallocated funds, imposing additional costs on taxpayers.
Program benefits depend on DOE capacity and cooperation from National Laboratories and utilities; limited capacity or coordination could cause delays or fewer trainee placements, reducing the program's effectiveness.
Institutions that are not HBCUs/MSIs or that lack strong ties to labs/utilities may receive fewer awards, limiting geographic and institutional reach and leaving some students without access.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs DOE to create a competitive program funding scholarships, fellowships, and R&D to train grad students and postdocs in energy cybersecurity with lab and utility traineeships and targeted outreach.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing certain courses of study relating to cybersecurity and energy infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 21, 2025 by Deborah K. Ross · Last progress April 21, 2025
Creates a Department of Energy program to fund scholarships, fellowships, and research for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying energy-related cybersecurity. The program will support traineeships at National Laboratories and utilities, require outreach to HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, and deliver a report to Congress within one year on program development and implementation. The Act defines covered institutions and laboratories, and directs DOE to run a competitive financial assistance program (including R&D awards and workforce training experiences) to strengthen the pipeline of cybersecurity talent focused on energy systems.