CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program is administered by the National Science Foundation under its Directorate for STEM Education. This program builds on the longstanding CyberCorps Scholarship for Service initiative and reflects an expanded federal priority to address workforce shortages in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The program is aligned with national policy priorities, including federal statutes supporting cybersecurity and AI workforce development, and is implemented in collaboration with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security. The program responds to increasing demand for professionals capable of securing AI systems and applying AI to cybersecurity operations. The primary purpose of the CyberAI SFS program is to strengthen the national pipeline of skilled professionals in AI and cybersecurity while supporting educational innovation. It operates through two distinct tracks: the Scholarship Track and the Innovation Track. The Scholarship Track funds institutions of higher education to provide scholarships to students pursuing degrees in AI or cybersecurity, with a required post-graduation service commitment in a government agency. The Innovation Track supports the development and expansion of educational programs, curricula, and partnerships aimed at improving training and workforce readiness in these fields. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities depending on the track. In the Scholarship Track, funds are used for student stipends, tuition, and professional development allowances, as well as institutional costs associated with program delivery. In the Innovation Track, funds may be used for curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities, professional training programs, and collaborative partnerships. There are specific limitations on allowable expenses, such as exclusion of housing and meal costs for students, and additional guidelines for budget preparation. Cost sharing is explicitly prohibited under this program. Eligibility is limited primarily to U.S.-based institutions of higher education and certain nonprofit organizations, depending on the track. Scholarship Track applicants must be accredited U.S. institutions with demonstrated strength in AI or cybersecurity programs, while Innovation Track applicants may include a broader range of academic and nonprofit entities. Students supported through the Scholarship Track must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and must commit to government service equal in length to their scholarship support. Principal investigators must hold qualifying academic or administrative appointments at eligible institutions. The application process requires submission of a full proposal through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF guidelines. Proposals must include detailed project descriptions, evaluation plans, evidence of institutional capacity, and documentation of prior NSF support where applicable. Scholarship Track proposals must also include plans for student recruitment, mentoring, internships, and compliance with service obligations. Evaluation criteria are based on NSF’s standard merit review principles, including intellectual merit and broader impacts. The program has defined submission timelines with both target dates and firm deadlines. For 2026, the Scholarship Track includes a target date of April 3 and a final deadline of July 21, with annual recurrence on similar dates. The Innovation Track also uses an April 3 target date annually. Proposals are reviewed through a combination of external expert review and internal NSF processes, with awards issued based on funding availability and proposal quality. The period of performance generally spans up to three years, depending on the track. Overall, the CyberAI SFS program represents a significant federal investment in building a resilient and highly skilled workforce capable of addressing emerging threats and opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. It emphasizes both education and service, ensuring that funded participants contribute directly to national security and technological advancement through government employment.

Align proposal clearly with NSF merit review criteria and CyberAI workforce goals; demonstrate strong institutional capacity and measurable outcomes; ensure compliance with all required proposal components