Alaska · Pacific Northwest / Arctic US
Alaska cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Alaska hosts some of the Department of Defense's most strategically critical installations, anchored by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, and Fort Wainwright. If you hold or pursue DoD work, a CMMC gap assessment shows exactly where you stand, and the Cyber Grants Alliance grant can cover it.
CMMC Phase 2 status: under DoD review. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party certification requirement in July 2026 pending a program review. Phase 1 self-assessment against NIST SP 800-171 remains mandatory now, and self-certified compliance carries more liability with third-party verification on hold.
Why it matters here
Where does Alaska's defense work come from?
Alaska's defense economy centers on three major installations, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, and Fort Wainwright, that together drive an estimated $3-4 billion a year in DoD spending across the state, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Anchorage
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
Alaska's largest military installation, formed by the 2010 merger of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson. Hosts US Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, the 11th Airborne Division, and the Alaskan NORAD Region, spanning roughly 64,000 acres.
Fairbanks area
Eielson Air Force Base
Home of the 354th Fighter Wing and 54 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, and host of RED FLAG-Alaska, a series of large-force air combat training exercises for US and allied forces.
Fairbanks
Fort Wainwright
US Army Garrison Alaska's home for the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, supporting Arctic-focused Army operations and Joint Task Force Alaska.
Your local partner
Who is Alaska's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Alaska MEP) is Alaska's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, backed by NIST and collocated with the University of Alaska Anchorage's Business Enterprise Institute (BEI). It provides technical assistance, training, and workforce development to small and mid-sized Alaska manufacturers.
Cybersecurity readiness
Alaska MEP, part of the national MEP network, helps manufacturers work toward NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC-aligned cybersecurity requirements as part of its technical assistance services.
Federal contracting support
Alaska MEP's BEI home base also houses the Alaska APEX Accelerator (formerly the Alaska PTAC), which assists with SAM.gov registration and DoD subcontracting.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can Alaska businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Alaska businesses can tap additional support through state-connected programs and federal resources.
Alaska APEX Accelerator
Formerly the Alaska PTAC, this UAA Business Enterprise Institute program provides proposal review, SAM.gov registration help, and matchmaking with prime contractors for Alaska businesses pursuing government work.
CISA Region 10
Serves Alaska through CISA's Seattle regional office, providing risk assessments, cybersecurity training, and support for the Defense Industrial Base and critical manufacturing sectors.
Cybersecure Alaska
A nonprofit working with government agencies including CISA toward the goal of making Alaska's business community more cyber-resilient.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Alaska?
Through the CMMC gap assessment grant, it is a $5,000 in-kind award, no cash changes hands. You receive the assessment itself, delivered by a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
Confirm you qualify
Open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the supply chain that hold or pursue DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment.
Get assessed against NIST 800-171
A certified partner reviews your current controls and produces a scored gap report showing what stands between you and CMMC Level 2.
Leave with a remediation plan
You receive a prioritized action list and the resources that can fund the fixes, so compliance becomes a budget line, not a guess.
Questions
Frequently asked questions — Alaska CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Alaska?
The grant is open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the DoD supply chain that hold or are pursuing DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment. Alaska businesses supporting Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, or Fort Wainwright are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Alaska?
Through the Cyber Grants Alliance program, the assessment is delivered as a $5,000 in-kind grant, no cash award. You receive the assessment itself from a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
What is Alaska's MEP center?
The Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Alaska MEP), collocated with the UAA Business Enterprise Institute in Anchorage, is Alaska's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It provides NIST-based technical assistance and cybersecurity readiness support to help Alaska manufacturers meet DoD supply chain requirements.
Is CMMC Level 2 enforcement still happening on November 10, 2026?
No. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party (C3PAO) certification requirement on July 13, 2026, pending a program review, so there is no confirmed enforcement date at this time. Phase 1 self-assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls remains mandatory now, and self-certified SPRS scores carry more liability while third-party verification is paused. A gap assessment is still the essential first step.
Do subcontractors in Alaska need CMMC?
If your contract or a prime's contract involves Controlled Unclassified Information, CMMC requirements generally flow down to subcontractors that handle that information. A gap assessment is the fastest way to confirm what applies to you.
Ready when you are
Apply for your CMMC gap assessment grant
100 in-kind awards, $5,000 each. Confirm eligibility and submit in minutes.