The Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Service Academy (CSA) Scholarship Program is established under Chapter 112 of Title 10, United States Code, Section 2200, and supported by provisions in the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. The program's goal is to recruit new cyber talent and retain highly skilled professionals within the DoD cyber workforce. It also aims to strengthen the national pipeline for cyber personnel development by providing grants to institutions of higher education. These grants support full-time scholarship programs for students in cyber-related disciplines, with a specific focus on institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C).

Eligible institutions are U.S.-based regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities that have received NCAE-C designations in Cyber Defense, Research, or Cyber Operations. These institutions must be in good standing with the NCAE-C Program Office and may collaborate with other accredited institutions, including minority-serving institutions. The grant funds may be used not only for student scholarships but also for institutional capacity-building efforts such as faculty development, laboratory improvements, and curriculum development in cyber-related subjects.

The program provides funding for scholarship awards covering a 15-month period beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. The funds are allocated to designated NCAE-Cs, which may operate independently or in collaboration with other accredited institutions. In addition to scholarship funding, limited financial support for institutional improvements related to cybersecurity education is available. The program also includes a separate retention track for current DoD civilian and active-duty military personnel, offering professional development opportunities in exchange for continued service within the department.

Eligible student applicants must meet specific academic and enrollment criteria. These include current community college students transitioning to a four-year NCAE-C program, individuals cross-training into cyber from non-cyber disciplines, college juniors and seniors, first- and second-year master's students, and doctoral candidates. Traditional National Guard members and reservists are eligible for the recruitment program, while active-duty military members and current DoD civilians may apply under the retention program, subject to nomination by their respective DoD components. Employees of non-DoD federal agencies are ineligible.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, following the specified format and including mandatory forms such as SF-424, SF-424B, and SF-424A. The deadline for institutions to submit their complete proposals and student applications is March 28, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be considered. Individual students must apply through an online portal by February 1, 2025. Institutions must also provide their intent to support recruitment programs by January 31, 2025.

Proposals will be evaluated based on selection criteria established in the H08 Evaluation Factors document, with reviews considering technical merit, budget, and risk assessments. Awards will be announced via email, but funding will only be authorized upon the issuance of a signed Notice of Award by a DoD Grants Officer. Applicants may be required to provide additional information before award finalization. The program follows all applicable federal regulations regarding nondiscrimination, environmental compliance, and research ethics.