CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service

The CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports the recruitment and training of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in alignment with U.S. national priorities. The program is administered by NSF in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). NSF’s primary role lies in strengthening cybersecurity education and increasing the number of qualified and diverse professionals in the field. The SFS program was established under the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 and amended by subsequent defense and science legislation, including the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The SFS program supports institutions of higher education in providing full scholarships to students in cybersecurity-related academic programs. These scholarships include coverage for tuition and education-related fees, professional development allowances, and stipends—$27,000 annually for undergraduate students and $37,000 for graduate students. In return, recipients must commit to working for federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies in cybersecurity roles for a duration equal to their scholarship period. The program also supports internships and professional development through summer placements and participation in national job fairs, competitions, and workshops. Institutions must demonstrate a strong existing cybersecurity program through accreditation, designation by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, or other qualifying evidence. Awards are typically made as continuing grants over a five-year period and are anticipated to support four cohorts of approximately five students each. A typical institutional award ranges between $2 million and $4 million. Additional funding up to $12,000 per student-year is available for program-related direct costs, and institutions must provide rigorous academic support, mentorship, counseling, and tracking of scholarship recipients through their academic and post-graduation service periods. Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. Community colleges may only participate as sub-awardees. PIs must be full-time research or teaching faculty based at U.S. campuses. Each institution is limited to submitting one proposal per annual competition and must meet specific criteria regarding current or prior SFS awards to be eligible for a new submission. The application process involves submitting a full proposal via Research.gov or Grants.gov, with no requirement for preliminary proposals or letters of intent. Proposals must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and include plans for recruitment, retention, evaluation, and broadening participation of underrepresented groups in cybersecurity. Proposals are evaluated based on both standard NSF merit review criteria and additional program-specific considerations, such as the quality of the institution’s cybersecurity curriculum and support systems. The program is recurring with an annual application deadline of July 15, beginning in 2023. Applications for the current cycle were due July 17, 2023, and the opportunity will recur on July 15 annually thereafter. General inquiries can be directed to the CyberCorps SFS team via email at sfs@nsf.gov. More information and program materials are available at https://www.sfs.opm.gov. Awardees must adhere to reporting and monitoring requirements, including annual documentation of post-scholarship employment and support for NSF-led program evaluations.

Proposals should clearly describe program strength, diversity efforts, mentoring, and placement plans.