Welcome to the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP)
The DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP) is both a scholarship program for the DoD, and a capacity building tool for the nation. The program is a result of commitment from DoD and Congress to support higher education as a means to prepare the DoD workforce to deal with threats against the Department’s critical information system and networks.
Given our increasing reliance on cybersecurity, information technology (IT), the growing threats to information, and information systems and infrastructures, it is critical that the Department of Defense (DoD) protect itself. To do so, the DoD must be staffed with technically savvy personnel.
To help achieve this task, the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP) was established. The DoD CySP is sponsored by the DoD Chief Information Office and administered by the National Security Agency (NSA).
The objectives of the program are to promote higher education in all disciplines of cybersecurity, to enhance the Department’s ability to recruit and retain cyber and IT specialists, to increase the number of military and civilian personnel in the DoD with this expertise, and ultimately, to enhance the nation’s cyber posture.
THE 2023-24 STUDENT RECRUITMENT SEASON IS NOW CLOSED;
THE 2024-25 STUDENT RECRUITMENT SEASON WILL OPEN ON 1 NOVEMBER 2023
Are you an National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institution and would like to participate?
Contact the DoD CySP Program Office to learn how!
RECRUITMENT DoD CYBER SCHOLARSHIPS
(Non-DoD Employees)
As a recruitment tool, the DoD CySP sponsors students who currently are not DoD or government employees who are enrolled in or applying to universities designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Following graduation, students are eligible for full-time employment with various components and agencies across the DoD. Students are required to work for the DoD a minimum of one year for each year of scholarship support they receive.
RECRUITMENT APPLICATIONS FOR 2023-24 ARE OPEN
RETENTION DoD CYBER SCHOLARSHIPS
(DoD Employees, Civilian and Military)
The DoD CySP supports DoD civilians, military officers, and enlisted personnel who pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees in cyber-related fields of study. Typically, these retention students attend a DoD school designated as a NCAE-C and, depending on the program, may finish their graduate degree at a partnering university. For DoD civilian and military personnel, the service commitment following graduation is determined by their sponsoring component organization. Retention student also have an opportunity to pursue a two-year community college degree or certificate. Please contact the DoD CySP Program Office to learn how to apply for this scholarship.
As a new candidate, how do I apply for a DoD Cyber Scholarship?
Will I need to pass a federal background investigation? Yes.
What do I need to know about academic sufficiency?
Veteran’s Preference, Disability, and Diversity Candidates in DoD CySP
6 Things You Need to Know About DoD CySP
Questions? Reach out to us at AskCySP@nsa.gov