Page 209, line 11, before "Out", insert "A."
Page 209, after line 20, insert:
"B.1. The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative shall be established to serve as an engine for research, innovation, and commercialization of cybersecurity technologies, and address the Commonwealth's need for growth of advanced and professional degrees within the cyber workforce.
2. The initiative shall consist of a primary Hub, located in Northern Virginia, and a network of Spokes across the Commonwealth with collaborating public institutions of higher education in Virginia and industry partners to build an ecosystem of cyber-related research, education, and engagement that positions the Commonwealth as a world leader of cybersecurity.
3. In collaboration with public institutions in the Commonwealth, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University shall serve as the anchoring institution and coordinate the activities of the Hub.
4. Out of this appropriation, $15,000,000 in the second year from the general fund is provided to the Virginia Research Investment Fund (VRIF) to scale the initiative and provide resources for faculty recruiting at both the Hub and Spoke sites. The VRIF will establish a process for public institutions of higher education in Virginia to seek certification as a Spokes site based on a plan for institutional investment, industry partnership, enrollment growth, and research focus areas. The Hub and certified Spokes sites will have the ability to seek matching funds for faculty recruitment and support for renovations and equipment. Certified institutions shall submit their funding request application to the Virginia Research Investment Committee established in § 23.1-3132 for review and evaluation. After completing its review, the Virginia Research Investment Committee, pursuant to § 23.1-3133, shall approve or deny the request for an allocation of funds.
5. Out of this appropriation, $10,000,000 in the second year from the general fund is provided for the leasing of space and establishment of the Hub by the anchoring institution.
6. Out of this appropriation, $15,000,000 in the second year from the general fund is be provided to the anchoring institution to establish research faculty, entrepreneurship programs, student internships and educational programming, and operations of the Hub.
7. Out of the amounts authorized in Item C-52.10 of Chapter 836, 2017 Session, $3,000,000 in the first year and $7,000,000 in the second year shall be made available for renovations, space enhancements, and equipment as follows:
a) $3,000,000 in the first year to establish a cyber-physical systems security lab at the Hub;
b) $3,000,000 in the second year to support cyber-physical systems security labs at Spoke sites across the Commonwealth;
c) $3,000,000 in the second year to establish a machine learning lab at the Hub;, and,
d) $1,000,000 in the second year for classroom and distributed learning infrastructure improvements at the Hub.”