Cybersecurity Awareness Program (Massachusetts)

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the corporate research laboratory for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, solicits white papers for basic and applied scientific research under BAA N00173-24-S-BA01. AI-related focus areas include data management and exploitation technologies that apply emerging mathematics and machine learning techniques, multi-agent systems and reinforcement learning, and AI/ML integrated with systems engineering across radar, antennas, and information systems. Additional priority areas include advanced materials and energy storage, spacecraft systems and propulsion, cybersecurity and cryptographic technologies, ocean acoustics and remote sensing, and virtual/mixed reality systems for training and situational awareness. NRL is distinct from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and funds research conducted at or in collaboration with NRL's own laboratories. White papers are evaluated on a rolling basis with selected proposers invited to submit full proposals.

State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) (Part E): Migration to the .gov Domain is sponsored by Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Division. This grant provides funding to local and tribal governments in Michigan to enhance their cybersecurity measures, particularly through the migration to a .gov domain and improving critical infrastructure resilience. The program funds components covering endpoint detection and response, cybersecurity assessments, multifactor authentication solutions, advanced backup solutions, managed service provider costs for cybersecurity services, cybersecurity awareness training, cybersecurity professional training, and critical infrastructure projects.

Development of innovative tools, processes, equipment and technologies through responses to disasters and emergencies for search and rescue in hazardous conditions is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following expected outcomes: Creation of cutting-edge tools, processes, equipment and technologies to enhance disaster and emergency response capabilities for various practitioners as well as for assets, such as vehicles, aircraft, and heavy equipment; Taking into consideration existing technologies, development of autonomous drones, robotics, and other technologies specifically designed for emergency medical response and search and rescue operations in hazardous conditions such as wildfires, earthquakes and large-scale events; Improvement of response efficiency and safety for survivors and emergency practitioners through the adoption of advanced, technology-driven solutions in disaster scenarios; Consider needs of existing EU-level capacities, emergency reserves, and stockpiling in the deployment of the assets and being able to move them. Scope: The scope of this topic is the development of innovative tools, equipment, and technologies to enhance the capabilities of emergency responders operating in complex and hazardous disaster environments. By leveraging advancements in smart protective equipment, in robotics, autonomous systems, remote sensing, communication and human sensor technologies, the aim is to improve the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of emergency medical response and search and rescue operations, particularly in high-risk scenarios, such as wildfires, earthquakes and large-scale trauma events. Proposals should explore the design, testing, and validation of innovative solutions capable of performing critical tasks in disaster-stricken areas. These technologies should be tailored to operate in extreme conditions, including high temperatures, unstable terrains, and low-visibility environments and beneficial to all individuals regardless of their age, gender or ability. Research should address challenges related to autonomous navigation, AI-driven decision-making, real-time situational awareness, and seamless integration with existing command-and-control systems used by disaster management. Collaboration of different practitioners should be supported to support proper market uptake. Efforts should be made to enhance interoperability and data-sharing capabilities between various platforms, emergency response teams, and crisis management systems. A key aspect of this research should be the practical deployment and validation of these technologies through field exercises and simulations in real-world disaster scenarios. User-driven design approaches, prioritising inclusivity and accessibilities should ensure that developed solutions align with the operational needs of responders in disasters., Proposals should develop a command-and-control solution that allows organisation of all activities, ensuring a swift, coordinated, and effective response to any disaster with clear plan for uptake after the project. Projects should conduct a stakeholder or market analysis and a roadmap or plan for uptake of the developed methodologies, findings, and technologies to the industry, the research and innovation community, and the relevant authorities. The current response capacities of the European Civil Protection Pool [1] its capacity gaps [2] , and the rescEU strategic reserve [3] as well as the EU Stockpiling Strategy should be taken into account in the roadmap to ensure needs-based approach. Thus, the proposals could consider innovation for heavier assets, such as flood containment and high-capacity pumping, transport or response aircraft, shelters and power generators, ground firefighting vehicles and aerial firefighting helicopters. Furthermore, proposals should consider ethical, legal, and social implications associated with the deployment of autonomous technologies in emergency response. Issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, human- and animal life protection, public acceptance, and compliance with regulatory frameworks should be a Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Civil Security for Society, Disaster-Resilient Societies Keywords: Disaster resilience and crisis management, First responders, Incident Response, Long term health hazard prevention in security related situations, Policy and Support, Security, deployment, disaster and emergency response capabilities, disasters, drones, emergencies, end-users, hazardous conditions, innovative tools, practitioners, resilience, robotics, search and rescue, technology-driven solutions in disaster scenarios