The Old Dominion University School of Cybersecurity received funding from the National Science Foundation’s CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS program to support students with the opportunity to receive 2-3 years of scholarship. The scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and agree to work for a government organization for the same number of years for which they received scholarship support.
The CyberAI SFS program supports an educational interdisciplinary curriculum that relies on a number of high-quality courses in cybersecurity and AI, hands-on experience both at ODU and during summer internships at government organizations, participation in research projects supervised by CyberAI faculty, participation in extracurricular activities including competitions and outreach activities to prepare students for a variety of professions in CyberAI field. In addition to fulfilling required coursework, this program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning opportunities, research projects, and leadership development through teamwork depending on the student's preparation and aspiration.
The CyberAI SFS program is open to:
- Undergraduate Students: ODU students enrolled in the BS in Cybersecurity with a major for AI for Cybersecurity
- Graduate Students: ODU students enrolled in the MS in Cybersecurity, Concentration in AI Security or the MS in Cybersecurity, Concentration in AI for Cybersecurity.
The CyberAI SFS recipients will receive:
- Tuition and Fees
- An annual stipend of $27,000 for undergraduate students and $37,000 for graduate students
- An annual professional development allowance of $6,000 that can be used to attend conferences, books, professional certifications/training, and a laptop (one-time purchase).
*Note that funding from the CyberAI SFS program replaces any state or Old Dominion University institutional scholarships or financial aid where a student's total cost of attendance is surpassed.
To be considered for the CyberAI LeADERS program, students must be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be an ODU student studying Cybersecurity at the
- Undergraduate level enrolled in the BS in Cybersecurity with a major for AI for Cybersecurity
- Graduate level enrolled the MS in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI security or MS in Cybersecurity with a concentration in AI for Cybersecurity
- Enrolled full-time for the duration of the scholarship.
- Able to secure federal employment
- Willing to commit to a background check and obtain a security clearance
CyberAI SFS Scholars must:
- Maintain a grade point average above 3.00 (undergraduate) or 3.2 (graduate)
- Participate in the ODU LeADERS program.
- Develop and maintain an electronic portfolio.
- Successfully complete cybersecurity internships with authorized federal, state, or local agencies each summer the student is enrolled in the program.
- Participate in School of Cybersecurity events including seminars, mentoring sessions, capture-the-flag competitions, advising programs, the Office of Personnel and Management's (OPM) annual CyberAI SFS Job Fair, and other events as directed.
- Refrain from employment during the course of the scholarship so that full attention can be given to completing the requirements of the program.
- Sign Scholarship for Service (SFS) Service Agreement and other forms as required.
- Complete at least two of the following:
- A leadership course approved by ODU faculty as a LeADERS course.
- An Entrepreneurship approved course
- Complete an independent research project supervised by a faculty member (for-credit or non- credit)
- Complete a service-learning project supervised by a faculty member such as the Cyber Clinic
- Seek and obtain a full-time position with the federal government and complete service with that agency for a minimum of the same number of years as the scholarship award. For instance, if the student received the scholarship for two years, the student would be obligated to complete two years of federal employment.
* Students who withdraw or fail to meet their obligations to the CyberAI SFS program will be required to repay the amount they received by their scholarship to an educational loan.
- Apply using the CyberAI SFS Application
- A CV or resume that shows work experience, skills, coursework, extracurricular activities, and honors/awards.
- Develop a two-page personal statement. The statement should tell readers about your interest in CyberAI, how prior courses have prepared you for the ODU CyberAI SFS program, your professional goals, and which agencies are most appealing to you. Also include reasons why government employment is of interest to you, giving a specific focus to the way that your career goals align with service ideals. More precisely, the statement should explain why you are interested in this program and how you know you are willing to commit to federal employment at this stage of your academic career.
- Three letters of reference from previous faculty or previous employers. At least two letters should be from faculty who have direct knowledge of your background and can support your application.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Evidence of past experiences and/or accomplishments. Provide evidence of past experiences and accomplishments that will support your application. These can include papers, projects, certifications received, awards, etc.
The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Scholarship for Service Program website includes additional details and information for future and current students.
Complete the application found at CyberAI SFS Application
Students who are considered juniors (third-year) can start receiving the scholarship if selected.
Up to three years of scholarship support can be provided, depending on your current academic level.
- Undergraduate students in their Junior and Senior year receive two years of support.
- Undergraduate students in their Junior and Senior year who plan to continue into the graduate program receive 3 years of support.
- Graduate students enrolled in the MS in cybersecurity program receive two years of support.
Be an ODU student studying Cybersecurity in one of the programs below.
- Undergraduate student (Junior or Senior) enrolled in the BS in Cybersecurity with a major for AI for Cybersecurity
- Graduate level enrolled in the MS in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI security or the MS in Cybersecurity with a concentration in AI for Cybersecurity
The government uses the SF-86 form to conduct background checks for national security positions.
If you do not graduate with a degree in cybersecurity and work for the federal government for the required amount of time, you will need to repay all funds received in the scholarship award.
You should not apply for the CyberAI SFS program if you are not committed to working for the federal government.
Here is a list of qualifying Federal Executive & Non-Executive Agencies.
To be considered for the CyberAI LeADERS program, students must be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be an ODU student studying Cybersecurity at the
- Undergraduate level enrolled in the BS in Cybersecurity with a major for AI for Cybersecurity
- Graduate level enrolled the MS in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI security or MS in Cybersecurity with a concentration in AI for Cybersecurity
- Enrolled full-time for the duration of the scholarship.
- Able to secure federal employment
- Willing to commit to a background check and obtain a security clearance
CyberAI SFS Scholars must:
- Maintain a grade point average above 3.00 (undergraduate) or 3.2 (graduate)
- Participate in the ODU LeADERS program.
- Develop and maintain an electronic portfolio.
- Successfully complete cybersecurity internships with authorized federal, state, or local agencies each summer the student is enrolled in the program.
- Participate in School of Cybersecurity events including seminars, mentoring sessions, capture-the-flag competitions, advising programs, the Office of Personnel and Management's (OPM) annual CyberAI SFS Job Fair, and other events as directed.
- Refrain from employment during the course of the scholarship so that full attention can be given to completing the requirements of the program.
- Sign Scholarship for Service (SFS) Service Agreement and other forms as required.
- Complete at least two of the following:
- A leadership course approved by ODU faculty as a LeADERS course.
- An Entrepreneurship approved course
- Complete an independent research project supervised by a faculty member (for-credit or non- credit)
- Complete a service-learning project supervised by a faculty member such as the Cyber Clinic
- Seek and obtain a full-time position with the federal government and complete service with that agency for a minimum of the same number of years as the scholarship award. For instance, if the student received the scholarship for two years, the student would be obligated to complete two years of federal employment.
* Students who withdraw or fail to meet their obligations to the CyberAI SFS program will be required to repay the amount they received by their scholarship to an educational loan.
- Apply using the CyberAI SFS Application
- A CV or resume that shows work experience, skills, coursework, extracurricular activities, and honors/awards.
- Develop a two-page personal statement. The statement should tell readers about your interest in CyberAI, how prior courses have prepared you for the ODU CyberAI SFS program, your professional goals, and which agencies are most appealing to you. Also include reasons why government employment is of interest to you, giving a specific focus to the way that your career goals align with service ideals. More precisely, the statement should explain why you are interested in this program and how you know you are willing to commit to federal employment at this stage of your academic career.
- Three letters of reference from previous faculty or previous employers. At least two letters should be from faculty who have direct knowledge of your background and can support your application.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Evidence of past experiences and/or accomplishments. Provide evidence of past experiences and accomplishments that will support your application. These can include papers, projects, certifications received, awards, etc.
The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Scholarship for Service Program website includes additional details and information for future and current students.
Complete the application found at CyberAI SFS Application
Students who are considered juniors (third-year) can start receiving the scholarship if selected.
Up to three years of scholarship support can be provided, depending on your current academic level.
- Undergraduate students in their Junior and Senior year receive two years of support.
- Undergraduate students in their Junior and Senior year who plan to continue into the graduate program receive 3 years of support.
- Graduate students enrolled in the MS in cybersecurity program receive two years of support.
Be an ODU student studying Cybersecurity in one of the programs below.
- Undergraduate student (Junior or Senior) enrolled in the BS in Cybersecurity with a major for AI for Cybersecurity
- Graduate level enrolled in the MS in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI security or the MS in Cybersecurity with a concentration in AI for Cybersecurity
The government uses the SF-86 form to conduct background checks for national security positions.
If you do not graduate with a degree in cybersecurity and work for the federal government for the required amount of time, you will need to repay all funds received in the scholarship award.
You should not apply for the CyberAI SFS program if you are not committed to working for the federal government.
Here is a list of qualifying Federal Executive & Non-Executive Agencies.
The 2026-2027 application opens on June 15, 2026, and closes on July 15, 2026
