For higher education institutions, this means the effective deadline to be audit-ready is sooner than it might initially seem. Level 2 certification can take 12-18 months, and waiting risks disqualification from new awards and potential damage to federal research partnerships. Recipients include University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and institutions supported through Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) and Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) grants. The Institutional Challenge: A Fragmented LandscapeDespite this funding, many research institutions remain poorly positioned for CMMC compliance. CMMC 2.0 was designed to close the cybersecurity gaps that leave higher education institutions vulnerable.