DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA)

The Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) is a grant initiative authorized under Chapter 112 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code and supported through recent National Defense Authorization Acts for FY2023 and FY2024. Administered by the Washington Headquarters Services, this program supports both the recruitment of emerging cyber professionals and the retention of skilled personnel within the DoD cyber workforce. The DoD CSA also serves as a national mechanism to strengthen the cybersecurity talent pipeline by funding scholarships and institutional development in higher education. This opportunity is available to U.S.-based institutions of higher education that hold designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Institutions must be regionally or nationally accredited and recognized in areas such as Cyber Defense, Cyber Research, or Cyber Operations. NCAE-Cs may apply independently or in collaboration with other accredited institutions, including post-secondary minority-serving institutions. Applicants must be in good standing with the NCAE-C Program Office and compliant with its documentation requirements. Grant funds under this program are intended to support full-time, institution-based scholarship programs for students pursuing degrees in cyber-related fields during the 2025–2026 academic year. In addition to student scholarships, institutions may request modest support for institutional capacity-building activities such as faculty development, laboratory improvements, or curriculum enhancements, provided these efforts contribute directly to the goals of the DoD CSA. Eligible students include college juniors or seniors, master’s and doctoral students, rising second-year NCAE-C community college students transitioning into four-year programs, and individuals with non-cyber degrees seeking retraining in cybersecurity fields. Traditional National Guard and reserve members are also eligible for recruitment scholarships, while current DoD civilian employees and active-duty military personnel may only apply through the separate retention program, which follows different processes and eligibility guidelines. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov and include all required federal forms such as SF424, SF424A/B, project narratives, and budget justifications. Documentation must follow formatting guidelines (Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1-inch margins, PDF format). Proposals and associated student materials are due no later than March 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late applications will not be reviewed. Evaluation will consider both technical merit and budgetary compliance, with reviews conducted by government officials and support contractors under nondisclosure agreements. Award notifications will be sent by email, but only the official Notice of Award from a DoD Grants Officer constitutes legal authorization to begin spending. Grants will cover a performance period of approximately 15 months beginning in Fall 2025.