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Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity.ÌýNote: this call is for the Scholarship Track; there are no submission limits for the Innovation Track.

Program Summary

Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce development. CyberAI refers to using AI in cybersecurity as well as providing security and resilience for AI systems.

• The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish, or to continue, scholarship for service programs with integrated AI and cybersecurity components (CyberAI). Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and work after graduation in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government organization for a period of at least the length of the scholarship.
• The Innovation Track supports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. Projects may expand existing educational opportunities, curricula, degree programs, educational pathways, methods and interventions, and partnerships among institutions of higher education, government, and employers.

The Scholarship Track funds academic institutions to award scholarships to students. In return students agree to work in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government agency. This post-graduation work period must be at least as long as the scholarship. All scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Proposals submitted to this track must clearly specify one of two focus areas in the proposal summary:

• Focus Area–Cyber: prepares cyber experts to use AI in cybersecurity operations. The scholars must complete a formal cybersecurity program (major, minor, concentration, track, certificate, etc.) with at least four cybersecurity courses and a minimum of two AI courses.
• Focus Area–AI: prepares AI professionals to protect the security of AI systems and infrastructure. The scholars must complete a formal AI program (major, minor, concentration, track, certificate, etc.) with at least four AI courses and a minimum of two cybersecurity courses.

All proposals must include meaningful opportunities for scholars to engage in informal learning experiences (competitions, service learning, etc.), mentored research, and applied projects in AI and cybersecurity. Proposals may address the security of emerging domains such as quantum computing, aerospace, energy, or other high-impact sectors where AI and cybersecurity are converging.

Deadlines

• CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST March 5, 2026
• Sponsor Deadline (Scholarship Track): 5:00pm MT April 3, 2026

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

• Project Description (3 pages maximum): Please include: 1) Evidence of a Strong Program in AI or Cybersecurity: clear and well-documented evidence of a strong and formal academic program in AI or cybersecurity; 2) Recruitment and Selection of CyberAI SFS Scholars: describe the recruitment plan, selection criteria, and onboarding process, including student counseling; 3) SFS Scholar Mentoring and Cohort Activities: describe how CyberAI SFS scholars will be advised and mentored, addressing factors such as research experiences, experiential learning environments, extra-curricular activities, cross-disciplinary opportunities in AI and cybersecurity, academic success, and preparation for government careers; 4) CyberAI SFS Scholarship Internship Requirements and Service Obligation: articulate how the institution will collaborate with the CyberAI SFS Program Office to advise, report, and monitor fulfillment of scholar internship and service obligation requirements; and 5) CyberAI SFS Institutional Responsibility and Project Management Plan: include a project management plan with a description of how the following institutional responsibilities will be fulfilled.
• PI Biosketch
• Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

For the Scholarship Track, an individual must not participate as PI, Co-PI, or Senior Personnel on more than one (1) proposal submitted for the same competition date.

For the Scholarship Track, a proposing institution must provide clearly documented evidence of a strong existing program in AI or cybersecurity. Such evidence may include ABET accreditation or designation by the National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in cybersecurity or CyberAI. ABET does not offer specific AI accreditation as of 2025, but accredited institutions may describe AI-focused components considered during the accreditation process. Proposers can also provide equivalent evidence, within the project narrative, documenting a strong program in cybersecurity or AI.

Limited Submission Guidelines

For the Scholarship Track, each performing organization is limited to one (1) proposal for 2026. There is no restriction for the Innovation Track.

Award Information

• Maximum Award Size: $2,500,000 (Scholarship Track); $500,000 (Innovation Track)
• Number of Awards: 1 – 25
• Award Duration: 3 years
• Scholarships provide academic year stipends of $27,000 per year for undergraduate students and $37,000 per year for graduate students. CyberAI SFS scholarships cover expenses normally incurred by full-time students at the institution, including tuition and mandatory education-related fees. They do not cover items such as meal plans, housing, or parking. Each student also gets a professional allowance of $6,000 per academic year for participation in job fairs, other travel, conference fees, research materials, books, and supplies, including a one-time laptop purchase, professional training, certifications, etc. Funding for students' stipends, tuition, and education-related fees, and student professional allowances must be listed as Participant Support Costs.

Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review, Internal NSF Review, or Site Visit Review. All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board-approved merit review criteria:

• Intellectual Merit, which encompasses the potential to advance knowledge.
• Broader Impacts, which encompass the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.