CyberOhio, in partnership with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), is launching the Round 3 .gov Domain Migration Grant Program, a funding opportunity to help Ohio local government entities strengthen online security and public trust by transitioning official websites to the .gov domain. 

This initiative is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and reflects Ohio’s continued commitment to advancing a more secure, resilient, and trusted digital government ecosystem. 

Grant Program Overview 

• Total funding available: $500,000 statewide 

• Maximum award per project: $9,500 

• Required local cost share: 20% 

• Eligible applicants: Ohio local government entities (counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, etc.) 

• Application deadline: March 13th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.  

• Application method: Online submission via the CyberOhio website 

Why .gov Matters 

The .gov domain is owned and administered by the federal government and is reserved exclusively for verified government entities. Transitioning to .gov: 

• Increases public trust in official websites 

• Reduces the risk of fraudulent or spoofed government sites 

• Strengthens cybersecurity posture 

• Aligns with national best practices for digital government 

Domain registration through get.gov is free for eligible entities. Grant funds may be used to support migration costs, technical setup, and DNS services. 

How to Apply 

Eligible local government entities must submit their application describing their planned .gov migration, cost estimate, and cost-share plan. Applications must be submitted through the online Round 3 SLCGP .gov Migration Application Form before March 13th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.  Late submissions will not be reviewed. 

Support and Assistance 

The CyberOhio team is available to provide technical assistance throughout the application period. 

Point of Contact: CyberOhio at cyberohio@governor.ohio.gov  

CyberOhio White Paper, titled: “Challenges for Local Governments: Addressing Web and Email Migration Hurdles of Adopting a .gov Internet Domain