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CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) - FAQs

1) What is the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program?

The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity focused on reducing the national talent shortage in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, particularly for government missions. It supports education and workforce development efforts that intentionally blend AI and cybersecurity to produce job-ready professionals for public-sector needs.

2) What does "CyberAI" mean in this program?

In this program, "CyberAI" includes both: (1) using AI to improve cybersecurity, and (2) improving the security, trustworthiness, and resilience of AI systems themselves. The emphasis is on integrating AI and cybersecurity rather than treating them as separate fields.

3) What are the two main tracks in this opportunity?

The opportunity is organized into two tracks:

• Scholarship Track: Funds institutions to start or continue scholarship-for-service programs that integrate AI and cybersecurity training, with a required post-graduation government service commitment by supported students.
• Innovation Track: Funds projects that strengthen the broader preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals through curriculum, programs, credentials, pathways, teaching methods, interventions, and partnerships.

4) What is the main purpose of the Scholarship Track?

The Scholarship Track is designed as a direct education-to-employment pipeline. Federal funding supports students during their education, and in return those students commit to working in an AI or cybersecurity role within a government organization after graduation for a period at least equal to the time they received scholarship support.

5) What is the main purpose of the Innovation Track?

The Innovation Track is focused on strengthening the overall training ecosystem for AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. It is more flexible than the Scholarship Track and can support work such as creating or expanding curriculum, degree programs, credentials, educational pathways, teaching methods and interventions, and partnerships that connect higher education with government and employers.

6) Who is eligible to apply as a lead institution under the Scholarship Track?

Only accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education (IHEs) may submit proposals as lead institutions under the Scholarship Track, acting on behalf of their faculty.

7) Can community colleges apply as the lead under the Scholarship Track?

No. Community colleges cannot apply as the lead for the Scholarship Track. They may participate as sub-awardees through a partnership with an eligible four-year SFS institution.

8) Who is eligible to apply as a lead institution under the Innovation Track?

For the Innovation Track, both two-year and four-year accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (including community colleges) may submit as lead institutions. In addition, certain U.S.-based nonprofit, non-academic organizations may apply if they are directly associated with educational or research activities.

9) What types of nonprofit, non-academic organizations may be eligible under the Innovation Track?

The listing identifies examples such as museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies, provided they are U.S.-based and directly associated with educational or research activities.

10) Are there special requirements if work involves an international branch campus of a U.S. institution?

Yes. If a proposal would route funds to an international branch campus of a U.S. IHE, the proposal must clearly explain why work at the overseas location is necessary, what benefits it brings, and why the activities cannot reasonably be done at the U.S. campus.

11) Who can serve as PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel on a proposal?

At the time of submission, the PI, co-PI, or other senior/key staff must be based at a U.S. campus of an eligible applicant organization and must hold either: (1) a tenured/tenure-track position, or (2) a primary full-time paid appointment in research, administration, or teaching. Limited exceptions for family or medical leave may apply as determined by the submitting organization.

12) Who is not eligible to serve as PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel?

Individuals whose primary appointment is at a for-profit non-academic organization or at an overseas branch campus of a U.S. institution are not eligible to serve as PI, co-PI, or other senior/key personnel for this opportunity.

13) What are the student citizenship or residency requirements under the Scholarship Track?

Students supported through scholarships under the Scholarship Track must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

14) What service commitment is required of Scholarship Track students?

Scholarship-supported students must commit to working after graduation in an AI or cybersecurity role within a government organization for a period at least equal to the length of time they received scholarship support.

15) What kinds of roles must Scholarship Track graduates take to satisfy the service requirement?

The service requirement must be fulfilled through employment in an AI or cybersecurity role within a government organization, consistent with the program's focus on supporting public-sector workforce needs.

16) Which federal agencies manage or partner on this program?

The program is managed by NSF's Directorate for STEM Education in partnership with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This partnership reflects the program's workforce placement and national security relevance.

17) What is the legal and policy basis for the program?

The program is authorized under two statutes covering cybersecurity and AI (15 USC 1677442(c) and 42 USC 16718993(A)) and aligns with Executive Order 14277, which emphasizes prioritizing AI within scholarship-for-service efforts.

18) What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?

The opportunity number is 26-503.

19) What is the proposal closing date?

The proposal closing date listed for this opportunity is April 3, 2026.

20) How many awards does NSF expect to make?

The listing indicates an expectation of 25 awards.

21) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $2,500,000.

22) What type of funding mechanism is this?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing identifies CFDA 47.076.

24) What is NSF looking for in terms of program design and outcomes?

The solicitation is geared toward building sustainable, well-aligned education-to-employment pipelines that produce professionals who can both apply AI to cybersecurity problems and safeguard AI systems in real-world government contexts. It specifically emphasizes efforts that deliberately integrate AI and cybersecurity training.

25) How do the Scholarship Track and Innovation Track differ in flexibility?

The Scholarship Track is centered on funding students through a scholarship-for-service model tied to a government service commitment. The Innovation Track is more flexible and is aimed at improving the broader training and education ecosystem through programmatic, curricular, and partnership-based approaches.