The DoD (Department of Defense) CySP (Cyber Scholarship) 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 2024-2025 application for Recruitment Scholarships (Non-DoD Employee) for 2024-2025 is open until February 01, 2024. More details are available at DoD CySP (Cyber Scholarship Program). If you are interested in the program, please check your eligibility and apply online.
As a recruitment tool, the DoD CySP sponsors students who currently are not DoD or government employees who are enrolled in or applying to Syracuse University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Students must be pursuing a course of study in a cybersecurity-related major or cyber-related academic programs with concentration in cybersecurity. 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.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A citizen of the United States at the time of application
- 18 years of age or older
- Non-DoD Employees
- Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) as full-time students (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree programs) at Syracuse University
- Completed (or by August 2024 will have completed) at a minimum:
- First two years of an undergraduate degree program to begin either the third or fourth year of an undergraduate program at Syracuse University; or
- A bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree to begin the first or second year of a Master’s degree program (or to pursue doctoral studies) at Syracuse University.
- GPA
- Graduate Students: Minimum 3.5 out of 4.0
- Undergraduate Students: Minimum 3.2 out of 4.0
- More details are available here.
Courses of Study or Major to Pursue at Syracuse University:
- Cyber-related academic programs with concentration in cybersecurity. Example courses of study at Syracuse University would include (but are not limited to):
- Master’s/Doctoral Students:
- CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) in Information Security Management (ISM) and a declared major in one of the relevant cyber-related academic disciplines, such as Applied Data Science, Information Systems, or PhD study related to cybersecurity in cyber-related areas (e.g., PhD in Information Science and Technology, PhD in Computer/Information Science and Engineering, PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering) at Syracuse University.
- Relevant cyber-related academic disciplines are listed by the DoD here.
- Undergraduate Students: Concentration on Information Security Management within the Applied Data Analytics (ADA) or Information Management & Technology (IM&T) bachelor’s degree programs at Syracuse University.
- Master’s/Doctoral Students:
- Or, the following cybersecurity-related major at Syracuse University
- Online programs are allowed.
Program Benefits and Obligations:
- Students selected as DoD CySP Scholars will receive the full cost of tuition, books (from the institution/degree specific required book list, not books which are optional for the class), required fees (including institutionally provided health care), a one-time laptop/computer purchase, travel support to attend a cyber-related conference, and a stipend to cover room and board.
- The stipend levels are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate (Master’s/PhD) students.
- Disabled students may receive additional allowances.
- Scholarships require the student to agree to serve one year of service to the DoD, upon graduation, for each year or partial year of scholarship received, in addition to the internship.
- During breaks in their academic studies, DoD CySP Scholars will receive progressive, hands-on experience through internships with their selecting DoD Agency.
- In return, scholars must agree to some restrictions and obligations regarding curriculum, GPA, and pre- and post- program employment.
- If all conditions are met, DoD CySP Scholars will receive full-time conditional/permanent positions in Components of the DoD upon program completion.
- After selected for the DoD CySP, students in the program are required to complete the returning application online each year for continued funding.
- More details are available here.
Security Clearance:
- You must have the ability to obtain a security clearance.
Application Submission:
- Apply for a DoD cyber scholarship by registering for an account online for the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program and complete the DoD CySP Student Application through the link here.
- Applicants are highly recommended to contact the PI (Principal Investigator at Syracuse University) via SyracuseCySP@syr.edu for application preparation before your submission.
- More details are available here.
Important Dates:
- February 1, 2024: Deadline for application submissions
- February 28, 2024: Grant proposal submission to the DoD (by Syracuse University)
- April 12, 2024: CySP selection notification (by the DoD)
- Beginning May 2024: Grant notification
- June/July 2024: Final grant award
Point of Contact:
- For more information about the CySP at Syracuse University, please email at SyracuseCySP@syr.edu.