Massachusetts · Northeastern US
Massachusetts cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Massachusetts anchors New England's defense economy, from Hanscom Air Force Base's electronic-systems acquisition work to the Army's soldier research at Natick. 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 Massachusetts's defense work come from?
Massachusetts hosts six military installations and a deep base of research and acquisition activity, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Bedford
Hanscom Air Force Base
Part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom has no flying mission and is the Air Force's hub for developing and acquiring electronic command and control, intelligence, and cyber systems, managing roughly 200 programs.
Natick
Natick Soldier Systems Center
The U.S. Army's center for soldier-related research and development about 18 miles west of Boston, home to the DEVCOM Soldier Center, generating science, engineering, and technology contracts.
Upper Cape Cod
Joint Base Cape Cod
A roughly 22,000-acre joint installation home to five commands, including the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting search-and-rescue and command-and-control missions.
Your local partner
Who is Massachusetts's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) is Massachusetts's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, part of the NIST MEP National Network. It provides operational excellence, workforce, and growth services to small and mid-sized manufacturers across the Commonwealth.
Manufacturing and readiness support
MassMEP helps manufacturers strengthen operations and workforce, groundwork that supports readiness for CMMC Level 2 requirements.
Federal contracting support
MassMEP runs the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator, providing specialized federal and defense-sector contracting support.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can Massachusetts businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Massachusetts businesses can tap additional support through state programs and federal resources.
Massachusetts EOTSS
The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security leads the Commonwealth's cybersecurity strategy, with a state CISO and a unified Security Operations Center coordinating across agencies, municipalities, and federal partners.
CISA Region 1
Headquartered in Boston, CISA Region 1 serves Massachusetts and the New England states with no-cost cybersecurity advisories, assessments, and training.
Massachusetts APEX Accelerator
Formerly the Massachusetts PTAC, it helps businesses bid, manage, and perform on government contracts, funded by the DoD and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Massachusetts?
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 — Massachusetts CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Massachusetts?
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. Massachusetts businesses supporting Hanscom Air Force Base, the Natick Soldier Systems Center, or Joint Base Cape Cod are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts's MEP center?
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) is Massachusetts's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It provides operational, workforce, and growth services to manufacturers and runs the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator for federal and defense contracting support.
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 Massachusetts 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.