Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022

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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022 2. Energy cybersecurity university leadership program (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in energy-related critical infrastructure after an intrusion occurs is inefficient, ineffective, and costly. (2) Integrating cybersecurity considerations into the research, design, and development of energy infrastructure represents a cost-effective approach to enhancing the security, resilience, and reliability of the electric grid, oil and natural gas pipelines, and other energy distribution, transmission, and generation systems. (3) Successfully employing the approach outlined in paragraph (2) as a guiding principle for the Department’s energy infrastructure activities will require a diverse, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce which possesses energy-specific cybersecurity expertise and familiarity with associated research, development, and demonstration needs. (4) A dedicated science scholarship program at the Department for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying energy-specific cybersecurity disciplines could help address the challenges stated in paragraphs (1) through (3). (b) Program (1) Establishment The Secretary of Energy shall establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program (referred to in this section as the Program (2) Program activities The Secretary shall— (A) provide financial assistance, on a competitive basis, for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing a course of study that integrates cybersecurity competencies within disciplines associated with energy infrastructure needs; (B) provide graduate students and postdoctoral researchers supported under the Program with research traineeship experiences at National Laboratories and utilities; and (C) conduct outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-serving institutions. (c) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the development and implementation of the Program. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Department The term Department (2) Historically Black college and university The term historically Black college and university part B institution 20 U.S.C. 1061 (3) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) (4) Minority-serving institution The term minority-serving institution 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) (5) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory 42 U.S.C. 15801 (6) Tribal College or University The term Tribal College or University 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b) July 15, 2022 Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Summary: Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program. Under the program, DOE must provide financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing a course of study that integrates cybersecurity competencies within disciplines associated with energy infrastructure needs. In addition, DOE must provide the students and researches supported under the program with research and training experiences at its National Laboratories and utilities.