CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service | 19 521

Opportunity Information: Apply for 19 521

The CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS) grant opportunity (NSF Funding Opportunity Number 19-521, CFDA 47.076) is a National Science Foundation discretionary grant program designed to grow the nation s cybersecurity workforce for public sector needs. It is grounded in the idea that modern life depends heavily on cyberspace, and that this dependence exposes governments, critical infrastructure, organizations, and individuals to persistent cyberattacks and systemic vulnerabilities. The opportunity emphasizes that real security and privacy improvements require not only technical advances in science and engineering, but also attention to human behavior and decision-making, since many weaknesses arise from how systems are used, managed, and maintained.

The program is authorized under the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018, and is implemented by NSF in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security. Its goals align with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy by focusing on recruitment, education, and preparation of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, including information technology security specialists, industrial control systems security professionals, and security managers who can support cybersecurity missions across federal, state, local, and tribal governments.

Under this opportunity, NSF invites proposals from institutions of higher education to establish new or continue existing scholarship programs in cybersecurity. A central feature is the service commitment: students who receive SFS scholarships are required to work after graduation in a cybersecurity-related role for a qualifying government organization (federal, state, local, or tribal) for a period equal to the length of time they received scholarship support. In practice, the scholarship is structured as a workforce pipeline, pairing financial support for students with an obligation to fill public sector cybersecurity positions after completing their degrees.

To be competitive, proposing institutions must demonstrate clear, documented evidence that they already have a strong academic cybersecurity program capable of educating and supporting scholarship recipients. One explicit form of evidence mentioned is designation by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence, such as CAE in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), or Research (CAE-R). The solicitation also allows comparable evidence of program strength if an institution does not hold those specific designations, but the expectation is that applicants can substantiate depth, maturity, and quality in cybersecurity education.

The opportunity also notes a broader national capacity-building focus. Beyond direct scholarship cohorts, the SFS program supports efforts that increase the overall ability of U.S. higher education to produce cybersecurity professionals at scale. Related funding pathways are referenced through the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace - Education Designation (SaTC-EDU) and other programs, especially for activities aimed at strengthening cybersecurity education ecosystems rather than only funding student scholarships.

Key administrative details included in the listing are an award ceiling of up to 5,000,000 dollars, an expected 12 awards, and an original closing date of February 4, 2019 (with a creation date of November 7, 2018). The funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is science and technology and other research and development, and eligibility is described as Others with additional clarification referenced in the full solicitation text.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 07, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 04, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 19 521

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