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Location

Center for Secure and Dependable Systems

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1008
Moscow, ID 83844-1008

Phone: 208-885-4114

Fax: 208-885-9052

Email: csds@uidaho.edu

CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service

About the SFS Program

Answering Idaho Governor Brad Little's recent Cybersecurity Task Force recommendations to increase investments for cybersecurity professionals in workforce and education, the U of I Center for Secure and Dependable Systems has maintained its status as a National Science Foundation Cybercorps: Scholarship for Service Program participant for over 20 years, securing more than $20 million in total funding to train students to work at the highest levels of government. Since 2001, over 110 students have graduated from the program.

Dates & Deadlines

  • February 1, 2025 –Deadline to apply for Fall 2025 fellowship

Cover Your Full Tuition and Degree-Related Fees

  • $4.46M in Training Scholarships Available
  • Fight cybercrime and cyberterrorism, and take advantage of the 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings across the globe.
  • Join the National Science Foundation’s Cybercorps: Scholarship for Service Program, and let us pay for your college education!
  • The NSF funding covers all tuition and degree-related fees for participants in the SFS program.

Scholarship Benefits

  • An upper division undergraduate is paid a stipend of $27,000 a year.
  • A graduate student is paid a stipend of $37,000 a year.
  • All tuition and degree related fees are paid.
  • If applicable, out-of-state tuition, graduate fees, and required course fees are paid.
  • Additional support funds are available to help offset student health insurance, professional development and books.
  • Each student is assigned to a faculty led research project investigating issues on cutting edge cyber security and cyber defense.
  • Each student has dedicated collaborative office space.

BS Applicants Qualifications/Requirements

  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
  • Have advanced sophomore standing with the ability to graduate within 2 years.
  • Officially accepted into University of Idaho
  • Majoring in at least one of the following: Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computer Engineering
  • United States Citizen
  • Clean of illegal drug usage (including marijuana) for at least the last 6 months
  • Agrees to work for a federal executive agency up to 3 years after graduation.
  • Agrees to attend all Career Fairs required by the program including the annual fair in Washington D.C., on campus, and virtual.
  • Agrees to submit at least one publication each academic year while in the program.
  • Agrees to attend the professional development course each semester.
  • Will demonstrate leadership, participate in team activities, prior social service, and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or behavior.
  • Agrees to participate in summer internship between academic years with a federal executive agency.
  • Agrees to participate in assessment activities during and after your scholarship until the end of your government commitment has been satisfied.
  • Agrees to seek and obtain a full-time position with a federal executive agency that begins upon graduation.

MS or Ph.D. Applicants Qualifications/Requirements

  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Majoring in at least one of the following: Cyber Security, Computer Science
  • (MS) Upon acceptance into program will be able to graduate within 4 semesters
  • United States Citizen
  • Clean of illegal drug usage (including marijuana) for at least the last 6 months
  • Agrees to work for a federal executive agency up to 3 years after graduation.
  • Agrees to attend all Career Fairs required by the program including the annual fair in Washington D.C., on campus, and virtual.
  • Agrees to submit at least one publication each academic year while in the program.
  • Agrees to attend the professional development course each semester.
  • Will demonstrate leadership, participate in team activities, prior social service, and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or behavior.
  • Agrees to participate in summer internship between academic years with a federal executive agency.
  • Agrees to participate in assessment activities during and after your scholarship until the end of your government commitment has been satisfied.
  • Agrees to seek and obtain a full-time position with a federal executive agency that begins upon graduation.

Applicants are accepted into the program on a competitive, space-available basis. The SFS panel reviews applications periodically, starting in January. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.

Applicants who wish to begin the SFS program in fall semester (August): Applications will be accepted until February 1 prior to the fall semester, or until the fellowship positions are filled. Applications requesting a summer semester start will be deferred to fall semester.

1. Pre-Qualification Form steps

  1. Gather unofficial digital copies of your transcripts of all college work.
  2. Gather contact information of 3 references: Full Name, Phone Number, and Email Address for at least 2 faculty members, the 3rd may be from an employment manager or faculty member. Note that they will be contacted by the SFS program directly to submit a reference letter.
  3. Write a digital letter expressing your interest in the program.
  4. Fill out this online Pre-Qualification Form.
  5. Schedule an appointment with a committee member.

2. Application Form steps

  1. After the pre-qualification step, you will be contacted by the committee, and if you are accepted you will be provided the full application with further steps.

Participants are assigned to a faculty-led research project investigating cybersecurity and cyber defense issues.

Research areas include:

  • Computer and network forensics
  • Cyber defense
  • Secure and resilient embedded and industrial control systems
  • Secure systems specification, architecture, design, and implementation
  • Situational awareness and risk-based cybersecurity

Location

Center for Secure and Dependable Systems

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1008
Moscow, ID 83844-1008

Phone: 208-885-4114

Fax: 208-885-9052

Email: csds@uidaho.edu