The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program invites electric cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities with limited cybersecurity resources and utilities that serve military installations to apply for competitive funding and technical assistance through the Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize.
This three-phase competition challenges eligible utilities to identify risks and implement solutions that will harden their systems against threats and improve their overall cybersecurity posture. Utilities that progress through the competition will receive cash prizes and technical assistance to make meaningful, impactful investments in staff training, governance processes, and cybersecurity tools and technologies.
How to Apply
Please review the official rulesfor the complete application process, requirements for competing, and submission instructions.
If you’re eligible to compete, click ‘Solve This Challenge’ to begin the application process.
You will be prompted to create a HeroX account, accept the Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize Competitor Agreement, and select whether you’d like to compete as a team and have additional members of your utility’s staff also register on HeroX.
After completing the above steps, you will see ‘Begin Entry’ on the ACT 1 Prize home page. Application templates are available under the ‘Resources’ tab to aid in completing the application.
In addition to submitting an application, Phase 1 applicants are required to participate in both of the mandatory virtual webinars (webinars will be recorded).
The ACT 1 Prize offers a total prize pool of up to $8.96 million in cash and technical assistance across three increasingly competitive phases—Commitment, Planning, and Implementation—where each phase concludes with a prize award.
Commitment Phase: Utilities prepare submission packages that describe their resources, need for improving their cybersecurity posture, and commitment to participating in the ACT 1 Prize.
Planning Phase: Utilities work with technical assistance providers to complete system assessments, identify areas for training, understand potential risks and solutions, and draft a roadmap for implementation.
Implementation Phase: Utilities work with technical assistance providers to make progress toward completing their implementation roadmap.
Established by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the RMUC program will provide $250 million over a five-year period to enhance the cybersecurity posture of electric cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities. The ACT 1 Prize is the first in the RMUC Program’s ACT Prize series.
The RMUC Program will support critical investments to strengthen utility systems, deliver technical assistance, and provide cybersecurity training to the utility workforce. These investments will result in a more secure and resilient energy grid that is better prepared to meet the challenging cybersecurity threats facing electric utilities. Visit the RMUC Program webpage to learn more about upcoming activities and events and to sign up for the RMUC Program email list.
Join us Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET for the first Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize Informational Webinar. During the webinar, presenters will provide an overview of the prize and review the key goals, milestones, timelines, submission package requirements, and how to apply.
Participation in this workshop is required via live attendance or via the recording to be considered for the ACT 1 Prize. If you’re unable to attend this webinar, a recording will be available after the event on HeroX.
Be sure you’re following the ACT 1 Prize HeroX pageto receive an email notification when the recording is published and a reminder to register for the second webinar.
