Sponsor:
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Summary:
The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Acts for 2018 and 2021, authorizes the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security, to offer a scholarship program to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for federal, state, local, and tribal governments.
The goals of the CyberCorps(R): Scholarship for Service (SFS) program are aligned with the U.S. strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce. These goals are to increase the quantity of new entrants to the government cyber workforce, to increase the national capacity for the education of cybersecurity professionals, to increase national research and development capabilities in critical information infrastructure protection, and to strengthen partnerships between institutions of higher education and relevant employment sectors. The SFS program welcomes proposals to establish or to continue scholarship programs in cybersecurity.
For more information, review the full CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program Solicitation (NSF 21-580).
Award:
A typical award might be approximately $2-4 million for five years supporting four cohort classes of five students each. The scholarships provide academic year stipends of $25,000 per year for undergraduate students and $34,000 per year for graduate students. In addition, SFS scholarships cover expenses normally incurred by full-time students in the institution, including tuition and education related fees; and a professional allowance of $6,000 per academic year for SFS Job Fair and other travel, conferences, research materials and supplies, a laptop, books, professional training and certifications, etc.
Limited Submission Requirements and Timeline:
One (1) application per institution is permitted.
Only proposals approved by the Division of Research and Economic Development may be submitted to this program. For such approval, Principal Investigators (PIs) must first submit a one- to two-page white paper describing the proposed scholarship program to preaward@boisestate.edu by May 2, 2022.
If selected to submit a full proposal, PIs must ensure that proposals meet all requirements stated in the RFP, in the announcement, and in the implementing laws and regulations related to this grant program.
Key Submission Dates:
- May 2, 2022 – White paper due to preaward@boisestate.edu. We encourage you to cc your Dean for visibility as well.
- May 9, 2022 – Anticipated date Internal Awardees Notified
- July 8, 2022 – Full proposal due to OSP
- July 15, 2022 – Full proposal due to NSF
Important Notes on Requirements:
- Each scholarship recipient, as a condition of receiving a scholarship under the SFS program, enters into an agreement under which the recipient, upon receipt of their academic degree, agrees to work for a period equal to the duration of the scholarship in the cybersecurity mission of an executive agency (as defined in 5 U.S. Code § 105) or, subject to prior approval, in the cybersecurity mission of:
- Congress, including any agency, entity, office, or commission established in the legislative branch;
- an interstate agency;
- a state, local, or tribal government; or
- a state, local, or tribal government-affiliated non-profit organization that is considered to be critical infrastructure (as defined in 42 U.S. Code § 5195c(e)).
- During the scholarship period, students must participate in meaningful summer internships.
- To be eligible for consideration for an SFS scholarship, a student must:
- be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States;
- demonstrate a commitment to a career in cybersecurity;
- have demonstrated a high level of competency in relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, as defined by the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework;
- be a full-time student in a coherent formal program that is focused on cybersecurity at an awardee institution (a) with sophomore standing in an associate’s degree program; or (b) with junior or senior standing in a bachelor’s degree program; or (c) enrolled in a master’s degree program; or (d) enrolled in a research-based doctoral program.
Did you find a limited submission opportunity? Email us at preaward@boisestate.edu.