Department of War Cyber Service Academy (DoW CSA)
Grants support designated U.S. colleges and universities in managing cyber scholarship programs for 2026-2027 to build the Department of War cyber workforce, with optional institutional capacity-building support.
Funder: Washington Headquarters Services
Due Dates: April 20, 2026 (Institutional & student submission) | January 22, 2030 (Final closing date)
Funding Amounts: Award ceiling: $20,000,000 | Award floor: $50,000 | Typical recruitment scholarship: $27,650–$36,650/student/year | Capacity building: up to $500,000 (Boot Camp), $125,000 (INSuRE Camp), $150,000 (faculty/curriculum/facility)
Summary: Supports accredited U.S. higher education institutions in recruiting and retaining cyber talent for the Department of War cyber workforce through scholarships and capacity-building grants.
Key Information: Only National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institutions are eligible; proposals and all student materials must be submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline.
Description
This program provides significant funding to regionally or nationally accredited U.S. higher education institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), including those recognized for Cyber Defense, Research, and/or Cyber Operations. The goal is to recruit new cyber talent and retain highly skilled professionals in the Department of War (DoW) cyber workforce. Grants support institution-based, full-time scholarship programs in cyber-related disciplines, as well as capacity-building activities such as faculty development, laboratory improvements, and curriculum enhancements. The program also includes funding for special initiatives like summer boot camps and INSuRE research camps.
