NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, today announced it will present the NFL with its Customer Social Impact Award at INSIGHT 2026, recognizing the NFL’s sustained commitment to expanding access to high-growth careers through its Inspire Change initiative. Building on that impact, NetApp is launching a philanthropic partnership with Per Scholas, one of the NFL’s Inspire Change grant partners, and providing a grant to support Per Scholas’ Cybersecurity with AI Tools training program. The initiative will expand zero tuition training and career pathways for people from historically underrepresented communities, advancing NetApp’s commitment to data and AI education and career access.
Part of NetApp’s Social Impact Awards program, the Data and AI Empowerment category honors customers and partners using technology to expand access to the data and AI education, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in the age of intelligence.
Cybersecurity is a crucial field with a growing need for individuals with highly specialized skills to address emerging threats. Since 2020, the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative has supported Per Scholas in addressing that gap, helping thousands of learners gain in-demand skills, advance their careers and increase their economic mobility.
“Through Inspire Change, the NFL is committed to using our platform to help remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities in communities across the country,” said Anna Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility at the NFL. “We’re thrilled that a partner like NetApp can further expand that access for Per Scholas learners, especially for the in-demand skills that can open doors to long-term careers and economic advancement.”
The NetApp-Per Scholas partnership extends the current programs into cybersecurity and AI, combining Per Scholas’ workforce-development expertise with NetApp’s leadership. With new resources for training that pairs cybersecurity fundamentals with practical AI tools, more learners can develop skills aligned with evolving employer needs.
“AI is changing work faster than traditional talent systems can adapt, making employer-aligned, hands-on training more important than ever,” said Caitlyn Brazill, President of Per Scholas. “This partnership with NetApp will help more learners build the technical skills, professional judgment and confidence they need to launch careers in cybersecurity and AI—and create lasting economic mobility.”
“Creating opportunities for people to develop in-demand skills is essential to building stronger communities and a stronger workforce,” said César Cernuda, President at NetApp. “As AI reshapes every industry, organizations need professionals who understand how to protect, secure, and unlock the value of data. By partnering with Per Scholas, we're helping create new pathways into careers that will strengthen the future workforce while advancing the cybersecurity and AI expertise organizations need to proactively detect threats, protect critical data, and recover with confidence.”
The NFL will be honored with the Customer Social Impact Award for Data and AI Empowerment at NetApp INSIGHT 2026, the company’s flagship customer experience. The partnership is an example of how organizations can combine technology, education and cross-sector collaboration to create measurable social impact.
For more information on NetApp's social impact commitments, visit: https://www.netapp.com/responsibility/social-impact/
Additional Resources
- Per Scholas Cybersecurity with AI Tools Course
- Customer Partner Social Impact Awards
- NetApp Social impact: Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility
- NetApp and the NFL Team Up with Intelligent Data Infrastructure
About the NFL
* Article first published on: itweb.africa
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