The CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program is authorized under the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, as amended, and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Its mission is to recruit and train a new generation of cybersecurity professionals to serve in federal, state, local, and tribal government roles, supporting the broader national strategy to bolster the cybersecurity workforce.

This grant supports institutions of higher education in establishing or continuing scholarship programs specifically in cybersecurity. Institutions must provide verifiable evidence of a strong academic program in the field, such as ABET accreditation or designation as a Center of Academic Excellence. The scholarship program includes full tuition, stipends ($27,000 for undergraduates, $37,000 for graduate students), and an annual professional allowance of $6,000 for eligible students. Scholars must participate in internships and post-graduation service in a qualifying government cybersecurity position for a duration equal to their scholarship period.

Applicants to the SFS must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents enrolled full-time in a cybersecurity-focused degree program. Eligibility extends to students at various academic levels, from community colleges (under specific articulation agreements) through doctoral programs. Institutions can request additional funds (up to $12,000 per student-year) for project support, and proposals must include robust evaluation and tracking components to monitor student progress and employment outcomes.

The grant limits applications to one per institution per year and restricts individuals to serving as PI or co-PI on only one submission per cycle. Institutions with ongoing SFS funding must meet specific progress benchmarks before reapplying. Full proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide.

The deadline for proposals is July 15 annually. Projects are funded as continuing grants over five years, with expected awards ranging between $2 to $4 million. Approximately 12 to 16 new awards are anticipated for FY 2024, pending availability of funds. The primary review criteria include intellectual merit, broader impacts, the strength of cybersecurity education and student support systems, diversity recruitment efforts, and sustainability plans.

For questions, contact the program via email at sfs@nsf.gov. For technical support with application portals, Research.gov and Grants.gov provide dedicated help desks. Institutions are encouraged to align projects with NSF’s broader goals of STEM talent development, broadening participation, and national security enhancement.