CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), addresses the critical shortage of talent in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity across government sectors. The program supports two primary tracks: the Scholarship Track and the Innovation Track. It aims to prepare a highly skilled workforce to protect the security of AI systems and to leverage AI capabilities in cybersecurity defense. CyberAI is broadly defined to include both the use of AI in cybersecurity operations and the resilience and security of AI systems themselves. The initiative is authorized under 15 USC §7442 and 42 USC §18993 and aligns with Executive Order 14277, which prioritizes AI in government scholarship initiatives. The program is managed by NSF’s Directorate for STEM Education, in partnership with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Scholarship Track funds accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education to provide scholarships to students who commit to post-graduate employment in government roles focused on AI and/or cybersecurity. These institutions must demonstrate a robust academic program in AI or cybersecurity and clearly designate a focus area for each proposal—either Cyber (with at least four cybersecurity and two AI courses) or AI (with at least four AI and two cybersecurity courses). Scholars must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and agree to work in a qualifying government agency for a duration at least equal to their scholarship period. Additionally, students are required to complete summer internships, informal learning, and research experiences during their scholarship. The Innovation Track supports projects that advance AI or cybersecurity education, particularly through curriculum development, partnerships, experiential learning, and dissemination of resources. Eligible applicants include two- and four-year higher education institutions and non-profit, non-academic U.S.-based organizations engaged in research or education. Projects should contribute to expanding the educational ecosystem for AI and cybersecurity, with goals such as developing instructional materials, creating shared AI datasets and tools, and integrating AI into broader STEM fields. The solicitation details specific budgetary limitations for both tracks. Innovation Track awards may be up to $500,000 for three years, while Scholarship Track awards can reach up to $2,500,000. Scholarships include stipends ($27,000 for undergraduates, $37,000 for graduates), tuition coverage, and a $6,000 annual professional allowance per student. Institutions may request an additional $12,000 per student annually to support other project-related activities. Matching funds are not required, and cost-sharing is prohibited. Proposal budgets should reflect the average institutional tuition rates as listed by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants must submit full proposals via Research.gov or Grants.gov following the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The Scholarship Track has two proposal opportunities annually: a target date of April 3 and a final deadline of July 21. Proposals submitted after the April target may still be considered for the following fiscal year. The Innovation Track also shares the April 3 deadline. The program does not require letters of intent or preliminary proposals. Evaluation criteria follow NSF’s standard merit review guidelines—intellectual merit and broader impacts—and proposals will undergo panel and/or ad hoc review. NSF anticipates awarding up to 25 grants annually under this solicitation, pending availability of funds and proposal quality. Project durations are typically three years. Award notifications are issued to the submitting institutions following internal and external review processes. Standard NSF terms and reporting conditions apply. Interested applicants may direct inquiries to the program's main contact email: [email protected]. More information, including program background and previous reports, is available on the NSF website and affiliated program pages.

Proposals should align clearly with either the Cyber or AI focus area and include evaluation metrics and measurable educational outcomes.