Indiana · Midwestern US
Indiana cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Indiana's defense economy is anchored by Naval Weapons Station Crane, the world's third-largest naval installation and a center for weapons research, testing, and munitions. 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 Indiana's defense work come from?
Indiana's defense economy centers on Naval Weapons Station Crane in the southern part of the state, with additional Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve activity in north-central Indiana, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Martin County
Naval Weapons Station Crane
Renamed from Naval Support Activity Crane in December 2025, this Navy installation is the world's third-largest naval base by area, focused on expeditionary warfare, strategic missions, and electronic warfare research, development, testing, and evaluation. It employs more than 6,000 people, including over 4,000 at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.
Crane
Crane Army Ammunition Activity
An Army-run tenant activity co-located at the Crane installation, responsible for production, renovation, storage, demilitarization, and distribution of conventional ammunition and missile components for all military branches and allied nations.
Peru / Kokomo
Grissom Air Reserve Base
An Air Force Reserve installation in Cass and Miami counties, about 12 miles north of Kokomo, generating aviation-support and logistics contracting opportunities across north-central Indiana.
Your local partner
Who is Indiana's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP) is Indiana's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It has assembled a dedicated cybersecurity team to help manufacturers, especially those supplying the DoD, work toward CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 compliance.
Cybersecurity readiness
Purdue MEP conducts CMMC Level 1 assessments and gap assessments for CMMC Level 2 readiness, and guides manufacturers through NIST 800-171 requirements.
State-funded assessments
Since 2021, Purdue MEP has partnered with the Indiana PTAC (now Indiana APEX Accelerator) and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to fund CMMC Level 1 assessments for qualifying Indiana defense companies.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can Indiana businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Indiana businesses can tap additional support through state programs and federal resources.
Indiana APEX Accelerator
Formerly the Indiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), this program provides no-cost counseling to help Indiana businesses identify, pursue, and win contracts with the DoD and other federal, state, and local agencies.
CISA Region 5
Serves Indiana through CISA's Chicago-based regional office, covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin with no-cost cybersecurity advisories and incident-response support.
Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)
Has funded CMMC Level 1 assessment support for Indiana defense companies in partnership with Purdue MEP, using SBA grant funding directed at strengthening the state's defense industrial base.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Indiana?
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 — Indiana CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Indiana?
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. Indiana businesses supporting Naval Weapons Station Crane, Crane Army Ammunition Activity, or Grissom Air Reserve Base are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Indiana?
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 Indiana's MEP center?
The Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP) is Indiana's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It provides cybersecurity readiness support for CMMC and NIST 800-171, and has partnered with the Indiana PTAC/APEX Accelerator to fund CMMC Level 1 assessments for Indiana defense companies.
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 Indiana 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.