Webinar Series

Applicants Webinar: NICE Notice of Funding Opportunity - K12 Cybersecurity Outreach Program

April 17, 2020
Welcome and Overview

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Danielle Santos

NICE Program Manager
NIST Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) is a partnership 

between government, academia, and the private sector focused on 

cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.

NOFO NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Outreach Program

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is the official award document. Nothing in this webinar is 

intended to conflict with information in the NOFO. If there is a perceived or actual conflict between the 

NOFO and any other source of information, the NOFO governs.

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nist.gov/nice

nist.gov/document/nicenofo2020k12outreachprogram
6th Annual 

NICE K12 Cybersecurity 

Education Conference

December 7-8, 2020

St. Louis, Missouri

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k12cybersecurityconference.org

11th Annual 

NICE Conference and Expo

November 16-18, 2020

Atlanta, Georgia

niceconference.org
Agenda

1. NICE Goals and Engagement Objectives

- Rodney Petersen, NICE Director

2. K12 Cybersecurity Outreach Program Purpose and Scope

- Davina Pruitt-Mentle, NICE Lead for Academic Engagement

3. SF-424A Budget Form and Award Administration

- Gilbert Castillo, NIST Grants Officer

4. Q&A

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NICE Goals and 

Engagement Objectives

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Rodney Petersen

NICE Director
Mission of NICE

To energize and promote a robust network and 

an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, 

training, and workforce development.

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Values of NICE

Seek Evidence

Pursue Action

Challenge Assumptions

Embrace Change

Stimulate Innovation

Foster Communication

Facilitate Collaboration

Share Resources

Model Inclusion

Measure Results

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Accelerate Learning and Skills Development

Inspire a sense of urgency 

in both the public and 

private sectors to address 

the shortage of skilled 

cybersecurity workers

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Nurture A Diverse Learning Community

Strengthen education and 

training across the ecosystem 

to emphasize learning, 

measure outcomes, and 

diversify the cybersecurity 

workforce

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Guide Career Development & Workforce Planning

Support employers to 

address market demands 

and enhance recruitment, 

hiring, development, and 

retention of cybersecurity 

talent

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Purpose of 2020 NOFO

• Increase engagement with stakeholders involved in helping youth 

pursue cybersecurity education and workforce opportunities.

• Engage across different geographic regions and with underrepresented 

populations and minorities.

• Convene K12 educators and others interested in K12 cybersecurity 

education for today’s youth.

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K12 Cybersecurity Outreach Program 

Purpose and Scope

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Davina Pruitt-Mentle

NICE Lead for Academic Engagement
K12 Cybersecurity Outreach Program

NICE seeks to provide financial assistance to an organization engaged 

with stakeholders involved in helping youth pursue cybersecurity 

education and workforce opportunities through a year-round 

communication and engagement strategy that culminates in the 

annual NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference.

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Applicants Must Be

• US-located

• A non-Federal entity

• Building national relationships

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Applicant’s Program Must Include

• a year-round communication strategy

• conference planning and execution efforts

– Identifying conference location

– Managing the budget

– Working with stakeholders to determine content and agenda

– Managing conference logistics

– Developing an outreach strategy for the conference

– Conducting the conference

– Evaluating the conference for improvements from year to year. 

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Applicant’s Program Must Include

• a diverse stakeholder engagement strategy

– K12 educators and curriculum specialists

– District and school administrators

– Career and Technical Education program educators and student organizations

– School counselors

– Students

– Cybersecurity competition organizers

– Instructional technology coaches

– Education technology vendors

– Non-profit organizations.

• a demonstration of commitment to regional diversity

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Application Contents and Evaluation Criteria

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Application Content – Required Forms

• SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance

– SF-424A, Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

– SF-424B, Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (if applicable)

• CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying 

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

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Application Content

• Project Narrative

• Budget Narrative and Justification

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

• Current and Pending Support Form

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Application Content – Project Narrative

• No more than 12 pages

• Executive Summary (no more than 2 pages)

• Outreach Strategy

• Conference Planning

• Resources

• Resumes of Key Personnel (not included in page count)

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Application Process and Format

• Submission to Grants.gov

– Paper, E-mail and Facsimile (fax) Submissions. Will not be accepted. 

• Document Formatting

– Double Space

– Easy to read font (10-point minimum)

• Page Limit 

– The Proposal Narrative for Applications is limited to twelve (12) pages. 

– includes: tables, graphs, pictures

– excludes: resumes, budget narrative, required forms

• Revisions must be made by submission of a new application.

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Evaluation Criteria

• Outreach Strategy (0 – 30 points)

• Conference Planning (0 to 30 points)

• Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel and Resources 

Availability (0 - 20 points)

• Budget Narrative (0 – 20 points)

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SF-424A Budget Form and

Award Administration

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Gilbert Castillo

NIST Grants Officer
Completing SF-424A Budget

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• Budget Format:

– The first SF-424A form should reflect each of the first four (4) years of the project

– If a 5 year project is proposed, a second SF-424A form should be submitted to reflect year five (5) of the project 

– A written budget narrative and justification must be submitted to explain each specific budget category

• Section A:

– Grant Program Function should be “Science, 

Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach”

– CFDA should be “11.620”

• Section B:

– Each column should reflect the funds for each year of 

the award (up to 4 years)

– If a 5 year project is proposed, a second SF-424A 

should be used (column 1 will be year 5) 

• Section C:

– Not applicable (matching funds are not required)

• Section D:

– This section requires a breakdown of the first year’s 

budget by quarter
Completing SF-424A Budget

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• Cost Sharing or Matching:

– Matching funds are not required

• Program Income:

– Applicants should not budget program income as non-federal cost share

– Program income must be expended in accordance with the “additive method” under 2 CFR §200.307(e)(2) and 

any access program income shall be disposed of pursuant to the “deductive method” under 2 CFR §200.307(e)(1)

– Program income that was not included in the budget requires prior approval pursuant to 2 CFR§200.307

• Identifying program income in the SF-424A Budget and SF-425 (FFR):

• Anticipated program income (e.g., registration fees) must be identified as program income in Section B, line 7, of 

the SF-424A. This amount should be included as part of the budget category expenditures 

• Program income that is generated an or expensed as part of the project must also be reported in the program 

income section of SF-425 Federal Financial Report
Administrative Requirements

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• Uniform Administrative 

Requirements, Cost Principles and 

Audit Requirements – 2 CFR Part 200

• Department of Commerce Financial 

Assistance Standard Terms and 

Conditions – dated April 30, 2019

• Specific Award Conditions (SACs)
Reporting

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• Financial Reports

– Semi-annual basis

– Due 30 days after periods ending: March 31 and September 30 of each year

– Final report due within 90 days after end of project period

– Must report program income (if applicable)

• Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

– Semi-annual basis

– Due 30 days after periods ending: March 31 and September 30 of each year

– Final report due within 90 days after end of project period

– RPPR must be in compliance with 2 CFR §200.328 and Section A.01 of the DOC Terms and 

Conditions (guidance will be provided via award SAC)
Q & A 

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Helpful Information

Deadline to apply: 

Monday, June 1, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Link to more information and FAQs: 

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2020/04/notice-funding-opportunity-k12-cybersecurityoutreach-program

Link to opportunity on Grants.gov: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326037

Link to full NOFO PDF: 

https://www.nist.gov/document/nicenofo2020k12outreachprogram

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