Funding

As a sponsor organization, CCI SWVA funds programs that focus on research, innovation and commercialization, and workforce development in alignment with the CCI mission.

Research

Research activities support the development and design of fast, secure, customizable communications systems and their multidisciplinary applications —from protecting the power grid and agriculture systems to securing self-driving vehicles and satellites.

Research Engagement Program (REP)

Through this competitive call for proposals, CCI SWVA provides early-stage seed funding to projects to demonstrate proof-of-concept; the theme of this call varies from year to year. Proposals are usually solicited in February-March for a period of performance from May 1 - December 31.

Research Call for Proposals (Res CFP)

Through this competitive call for proposals, CCI SWVA provides seed funding to mature ongoing research projects with the goals of expanding the academic cybersecurity body of knowledge and attracting extramural funding. Proposals are usually solicited in April-May for a 1-year period of performance from August 1 - July 31.

Faculty Support

To attract and retain talent in the region, CCI SWVA supplements competitive employement and retention offers for cybersecurity faculty. Through the Faculty Fellow and Presidential Postdoc Programs, CCI SWVA responds to department heads' requests for faculty funding by offering invitations to submit proposals.

Strategic Research Initiative

CCI SWVA provides cost matching funding for research projects to secure multi-million dollar extramural investments. Proposals are considered on a rolling basis.

Innovation and Commercialization

CCI SWVA funds projects to promote startup and spin-out of cybersecurity research.

Innovation: Ideation-to-Commercialization (IIC)

Through this competitive call for proposals, CCI SWVA provides funding to aid commercialization or market validation of cybersecurity technologies. Proposals are usually solicited in November-December for a 1-year period of performance from January 1 - December 31.

Cyber Innovation Scholars (CIS)

Through this competitive applciation process, CCI SWVA provides funding to graduate students, postdocs, and other early-stage career professionals to explore routes to commercialization and professional development. Applications are accepted January-February for a March Workshop and professional development funds.

Strategic Innovation Initiative

CCI SWVA provides funding for innovation projects to secure multi-million dollar extramural investments or fund startup or spinout companies. Proposals are considered on a rolling basis.

Workforce Development 

CCI SWVA funds Workforce Development projects designed to provide experiential learning to students enrolled in one of our member institutions and career preparedness for future cybersecurity workforce professionals.

Regional Security Operations Center (SOC)

CCI SWVA is developing a Security Operations Center (SOC) to provide security assessment and penetration testing for SWVA organizations at no cost. This program will give students the ability to practice their hands-on cyber skills while allowing businesses to harden their cybersecurity resilience without impacting their bottom line.

Internship Subsidy Program

CCI SWVA provides funding to companies with a business presence in Southwest Virginia to offset the cost of hiring interns. Companies interested in hiring an intern, or interns seeking to upgrade an unpaid cybersecurity internship to a paid opportunity, should contact CCI SWVA to evaluate alignment. Internship subsidies are considered on a rolling basis, roughly aligned with the academic semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

Strategic Workforce Initiative

CCI SWVA funds Workforce Development projects and events that impact large numbers of students in Southwest Virginia. Proposals are considered on a rolling basis.