NSF 26-503: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Education Innovation and Scholarship for Service

Sponsor: NSF
Internal Deadline: 05/15/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: varies
Program Website

The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program is an extension, reflected in a new name, of the long-standing CyberCorps® SFS program. Building on longstanding success, the CyberAI SFS program will enhance the CyberCorps® SFS model to include specialized competencies in AI. CyberAI is defined broadly to include (a) the use of AI in cybersecurity operations and (b) the security and resilience of AI systems themselves.

The goals of the CyberAI SFS Program are to: (1) increase the number of CyberAI experts and support their placement and retention in the mission of government organizations; and (2) enhance the national capacity for the education and training of AI and cybersecurity professionals, educators, and researchers.

The CyberAI SFS program supports student scholarships for service (Scholarship Track) and educational innovations (Innovation Track).

Scholarship Track

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.

Innovation Track

The Innovation Track seeks transformative education proposals in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, or the integration of AI and cybersecurity. Proposed projects should have potential for wide adoption. They should help the U.S. educational system train more AI and cybersecurity experts.

Proposals competing in this track should contribute to the expansion of existing education or training opportunities and resources to address the second goal of the CyberAI program. Project outcomes should be widely shared. These efforts may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and share cutting-edge instructional materials and methods in AI or its role in cybersecurity.


• Foster experiential learning through curricular innovations, competitions, and applied research in AI, cybersecurity, or their intersection across STEM domains.


• Expand professional development for researchers, educators, and practitioners in AI or cybersecurity at all levels.


• Integrate basic or advanced AI or cybersecurity training with other fields to address human interaction with AI systems.


• Build communities of practice with shareable datasets, AI models, and computing resources through partnerships.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

There is no restriction for the Innovation Track.

For the Scholarship Track, each performing organization is limited to one (1) proposal submitted for the same competition date. Institutions with an active CyberAI SFS scholarship project must wait until they are within 14 months of the current award's expected end date before submitting a new proposal.

Each institutional office of research may have internal processes used to select proposals for submission to the Scholarship Track

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI:

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 Innovation Track, an individual must not participate as PI, Co-PI, or Senior Personnel on more than two (2) proposals submitted within any 12-month period.

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

• Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
• a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
• a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)