CyberNext: Advance Cybersecurity and AI Readiness

Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Albania has experienced multiple cyberattacks in recent years, placing increasingly digital government services and critical institutions at significant risk. While Albania is actively embracing AI, substantial skill gaps remain – gaps that American expertise is uniquely positioned to address. The “CyberNext: Advanced Cybersecurity and AI Readiness” program strengthens Albania’s cybersecurity and AI capabilities by leveraging U.S. technology, standards, and expertise. The program moves beyond basic awareness to build practical skills, improve resilience against digital threats, and deepen understanding of U.S. leadership in technological innovation. This initiative builds on previous American Corners programming in cybersecurity and AI that established a cohort of young people with baseline knowledge and awareness. It complements ongoing U.S. Embassy efforts to strengthen Albania's cyber resilience and digital infrastructure in alignment with American technology standards. The program creates a foundation for sustained engagement with Albanian youth and professionals who will shape the country’s digital future. The program advances key U.S. policy objectives by promoting American leadership in AI and cybersecurity, thereby defending digital openness and protecting space for open and authentic communication in the digital sphere. It equips Albanian professionals with skills and knowledge essential to shared security responsibilities, strengthening their capacity to contribute to regional stability, protects American interests abroad, consistent with the America First foreign policy that prioritizes building capable Allies and defending critical infrastructure against shared threats. All activities must demonstrate strong linkages to U.S. expertise, technology, and best practices in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Proposals should clearly articulate how these connections advance program objectives while serving U.S. interests in regional security and digital infrastructure development. The program must reaffirm its core purpose: equip Albanian audiences with cybersecurity and AI capabilities through results-focused engagement that produces measurable changes in the attitudes and behaviours of young cybersecurity professionals. Project Audience : Young Albanians aged 18-35, including university students, young professionals, startup leaders, and aspiring tech innovators with baseline understanding of cyber and AI issues seeking to build practical, advanced skills in cybersecurity and digital protection. Project Goal : Strengthen Albania's cyber resilience and digital infrastructure in alignment with American technology standards. Increase public support for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities and greater responsibility for regional security and stability. Project Objectives : The project should engage at least 100 participants per Corner in cybersecurity and AI programming activities that build digital protection skills, foster teamwork, and enhance Albania’s overall cyber and AI readiness in support of U.S. leadership and global security. Suggested activities may include workshops through simulations and scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, tabletop exercises, competitions, innovation sprints etc. At a minimum, projects should address the following objectives: Objective 1 – Advanced Threat Detection and Response Skills: Equip participants with intermediate-level practical skills to recognize, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, drawing on U.S. frameworks and best practices. Objective 2 – Responsible and Secure AI Deployment: Build participants’ understanding of AI risks and opportunities in cybersecurity, including how AI can both enable and counter attacks, and develop their ability to design and apply AI solutions ethically and securely, informed by U.S. standards and AI ethics guidance. Objective 3 – Operational Resilience and Professional Readiness: Strengthen participants’ critical thinking, teamwork, and decision‑making under pressure through realistic cyber and AI scenarios, preparing them to operate effectively in incident response teams and contribute to Albania’s broader cyber resilience. Funding activity: American Spaces Eligibility: Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Not-for-profit U.S. and Albanian organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations • U.S. and Albanian Individuals For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. This opportunity will not support: • Projects relating to partisan political activity; • Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support • Construction projects; • Projects that support specific religious activities; • Fund-raising campaigns; • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs • Scientific research or surveys; • Commercial projects; • Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; • Projects that duplicate existing projects; or • Illegal activities Award ceiling: 14,000 CFDA: 19.441