Nebraska · Midwestern US
Nebraska cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Nebraska's defense footprint centers on Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command, alongside the Lincoln Air National Guard Base. 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 Nebraska's defense work come from?
Nebraska's defense economy centers on Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha and the Lincoln Air National Guard Base, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Bellevue / Sarpy County
Offutt Air Force Base & U.S. Strategic Command
Located south of Omaha, adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Offutt Air Force Base is the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). It is also home to the 55th Wing (Air Combat Command) and the 557th Weather Wing.
Lincoln
Lincoln Air National Guard Base
Located roughly six miles northwest of Lincoln, this joint-use civil/military airfield is co-located with Lincoln Airport. It is home to the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing, flying the KC-135R Stratotanker, plus collocated Nebraska Army National Guard units.
Your local partner
Who is Nebraska's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Nebraska MEP), hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, manages the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program for the state of Nebraska. It provides consulting, training, and workshops to improve productivity and technology adoption for small and mid-sized Nebraska manufacturers.
Cybersecurity & contracting readiness
Nebraska MEP consulting and training support helps manufacturers adopt new technology and improve productivity, which is where NIST 800-171 and CMMC readiness questions typically start for Nebraska manufacturers.
Part of the national MEP network
Nebraska MEP is part of NIST's Hollings MEP national network, giving Nebraska manufacturers access to a nationwide base of manufacturing and government-contracting expertise.
More resources
What other funding can Nebraska businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Nebraska businesses can tap additional support through state economic-development programs. Note: Nebraska's flagship cybersecurity grant program, the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), is administered by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and funds counties, municipalities, school districts, and other government entities, not private companies.
Nebraska SBIR/STTR Grant Program
Administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development under the Business Innovation Act, this state matching grant supports Nebraska businesses pursuing federal SBIR/STTR awards: up to $5,000 for Phase 0 proposal preparation, and matches up to $150,000 (Phase 1) or $300,000 (Phase 2), capped at 65% of the federal award. Requires at least 51% of proposed activity to occur in Nebraska.
Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grants
A competitive matching grant, also under the Business Innovation Act, of up to $150,000 per project for Nebraska businesses under 500 employees doing product or process development, with at least 50% matching funds required from the applicant.
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
Administered by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and funded via FEMA/CISA, SLCGP funds cybersecurity planning, equipment, and training. Eligible recipients are counties, municipalities, school districts, special districts, and tribal governments, not private defense contractors.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Nebraska?
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 — Nebraska CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Nebraska?
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. Nebraska businesses supporting Offutt Air Force Base, U.S. Strategic Command, or the Lincoln Air National Guard Base are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Nebraska?
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 Nebraska's MEP center?
The Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Nebraska MEP), hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, provides consulting, training, and workshops to improve productivity and technology adoption for small and mid-sized Nebraska manufacturers.
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.
Does Nebraska have a state cybersecurity grant for private defense contractors?
Nebraska's State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), administered by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, funds cybersecurity planning, equipment, and training, but eligible recipients are counties, municipalities, school districts, and other government entities, not private companies. The Cyber Grants Alliance CMMC gap assessment grant is available to private Nebraska defense contractors and manufacturers.
Ready when you are
Apply for your CMMC gap assessment grant
100 in-kind awards, $5,000 each. Confirm eligibility and submit in minutes.