42 U.S.C. § 18995 — Cyber workforce development research and development

(a) In general. The Director must make merit-reviewed, competitive awards to colleges or nonprofits (or consortia of them) to carry out research on the cyber workforce. (b) Research. Using these awards, the Director must support research and development activities to: (1) understand the current cyber workforce, including factors influencing its growth, retention, and development; (2) examine paths to entry and re-entry into the cyber workforce; (3) understand cyber workforce trends, including demographic representation, educational and professional backgrounds, available competencies, and factors shaping recruitment, development, and retention, plus how to increase its size, diversity, and capability; (4) examine and evaluate training practices, models, programs, and technologies; and (5) study other closely related topics the Director determines appropriate. (c) Requirements. In carrying out these activities, the Director must: (1) collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including its National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Office of Personnel Management, and other federal departments and agencies as appropriate; (2) align with or build on the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education Cybersecurity Workforce Framework wherever practicable and applicable; (3) leverage the existing body of knowledge from prior cyber workforce development research and education activities; and (4) engage with other federal departments and agencies, research communities, and potential users of the information produced.