State of Montana State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) in Montana is an initiative designed to bolster the cybersecurity readiness of state and local government entities through a unified approach. Administered by Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) as the State Administrative Agency and fiscal agent, the program aligns state-level resources with local needs to enhance resilience and safeguard critical digital infrastructure. The program operates under the strategic oversight of the Montana Cybersecurity Planning Committee, which includes representatives from a wide array of public sectors including local government, public education, health, and safety. The core purpose of the Montana SLCGP is to reduce cybersecurity risks through targeted investments across five designated focus areas. These include Security Awareness Training for the workforce, Professional Development for the cybersecurity workforce and leadership, Endpoint Detection and Response, Network Traffic Monitoring, and implementation of Multifactor Authentication. Eligible applicants can request funding or services aligned with one or more of these areas depending on their organizational needs and cybersecurity gaps. The grant supports both direct awards (reimbursable funding) and awards in the form of services provided through state-managed contracts. Direct awards require grantees to make purchases, pay invoices, and submit documentation for reimbursement. Service-based awards give access to cybersecurity tools and training provided through existing state contracts. For the current application cycle, funding is sourced from FY2022 and FY2023, for which no matching funds are required. However, future years—FY2024 and FY2025—will require local cost-sharing at rates of 30% and 40% respectively, with options for in-kind contributions. Eligible applicants include Montana-based local government units such as cities, towns, counties, consolidated governments, school districts, and special districts. Private sector entities, nonprofits, and any organizations not classified as local governments are not eligible for funding. Applicants must complete general information sections and forms corresponding to the specific focus areas for which they seek support. The application includes validation steps and requires baseline cybersecurity data from each applicant. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted no later than January 9, 2026. Awards will be announced by January 31, 2026, contingent upon available funding. Following approval, additional documentation and coordination with the SLCGP Coordinator will be required. For assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact Montana DES via the program email. The SLCGP is a recurring program, with future rounds expected, and continues to evolve based on the strategic direction of state cybersecurity leadership.

Complete only the focus areas relevant to your needs; ensure invoices are paid before seeking reimbursement.