What is the Cyber Service Academy (CSA)?
The DoW CSA (formerly the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program) is both a scholarship program for the DoW, and a capacity building tool for the nation. The program is a result of commitment from DoW and Congress to support higher education as a means to prepare the DoW workforce to deal with threats against the Department’s critical information system and networks. You can learn more about the program here.
Eligibility requirements
Undergraduate: (required 3.2 GPA out of 4.0)
- Rising Junior or Senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree
Graduate: (required 3.5 GPA out of 4.0)
- Master’s
- PhD/Doctorate
U.S. citizen able to qualify for a security clearance
Currently not a full-time, permanent DoW, Federal Employee, or Active duty military
Enrolled in a full-time cyber program at a designated NCAE-C
Pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to cyber or have a concentration in cyber
Have at least one full academic year remaining in degree program
Maintain flexibility to move within the continental U.S. to perform internships and final service obligations
Currently unencumbered to another program with a required service obligation
Scholarship Information and eligibility requirements
Read the Recruitment Scholar Handbook to learn about the scholarship, eligibility & benefits, security clearance, service obligation, and more.
Students selected as Cyber 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. Awards will be made via a grant to the CAE designated institution (not to the student).
Do I have to be enrolled in Pitt's CAE Designated Program of Study in order to apply?
No, the only requirements for your current program of student is that it has to be cyber-related. Examples of those cyber-related programs include: Artificial Intelligence, Business Management or Administration, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, Quantum Computing, and more. If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply based on your program of student, email aibrahim@pitt.edu to schedule a meeting and find out.
How to apply?
Students will certainly apply online as per the DoW instructions. However, any application will have to be endorsed/recommended by the CAE institution. Thus, let us know about your interest in applying for the CSA@Pitt by filling out this CSA Interest Form as soon as possible (and no later than Friday January 23, 2026) such that we can help, assist, and advise. Feel free to check with the DoW CSA On-Campus Point of Contact (Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim aibrahim@pitt.edu) immediately to learn of any additional application requirements.
The 2026 DoW CSA New Student Application:
Source: https://www.cyber.mil/dod-workforce-innovation-directorate/csa/
DoW CSA 2026 Application Part 1: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/r0NsnisrLa
DoW CSA 2026 Application Part 2: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/XMtbEwR6mS
Application Closing (New Applicants): February 17, 2026 (noon)
Documents Needed:
- Unofficial Transcripts: Applicants will submit unofficial transcripts to the DoW CSA Program Office directly.
* Due date: 12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
* Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name - Institution Name - Unofficial Transcripts
* Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
* CC: aibrahim@pitt.edu
- One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Must be sent directly to the DoW CSA Program Office by the author not the applicant. The letter should come from a current or most recent faculty member or supervisor who can speak to your potential for academic success and your cyber-knowledge and ability. The applicant is responsible for contacting the author and ensuring the letter is sent by the deadline. Letters sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
* Due Date: 12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
* Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Letter of Recommendation
* Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
* CC: aibrahim@pitt.edu
- Competitions / Cyber Exercises / Capture-the-Flag Documentation: Applicants will submit any cyber competition data directly to the DoW CSA Program Office via email.
* Due Date: 12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
* Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Competition Documentation
* Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
* CC: aibrahim@pitt.edu
How can I learn more about the DoW CSA@Pitt program?
Feel free to email Ahmed Ibrahim (aibrahim@pitt.edu) to schedule a Zoom meeting or join any of the following Information Sessions:
DoW CSA@Pitt Information Session 1 (Wed, Jan 14, 2026 5:00 PM)
Register »
DoW CSA@Pitt Information Session 2 (Fri, Jan 16, 2026 5:00 PM)
Register »
DoW CSA@Pitt Information Session 3 (Wed, Jan 21, 2026 5:00 PM)
Register »
Key Dates for the 2026 DoW Cyber Scholarship Program
17 February 2026 - Application tool closes for New Recruitment Scholars
20 February 2026 - Application tool closes for Returning Recruitment Scholars
20 March 2026 - Responses to solicitation due via Grants.gov
23 March – 15 April - DoW Hiring Components reviews Scholar
15 April - DoW Components deadline to submit their Scholar Selection List, including ranked preferences
22 April - DoW Component Annual Scholar Selection Meeting, commonly referred to as the “Football Draft”
23-30 April - DoW CSA PO reviews and finalizes Hiring Component final selections to ensure balanced distribution of New Scholars
1 May – Start of scholarship selections announcement
15 July – New Grants and Options start
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Advice for applying students
Keep the following in mind:
- Create only ONE student account for your application. NEVER CREATE MORE THAN ONE.
- Your second letter of recommendation must be sent before January 31, 2026.
- Have a clear graduation date (use the furthest possible date).
- You should only submit an application as a student in ONE school only.
- It is important to demonstrate what cyber-related courses or activities you engaged in.
- Prepare an academic plan for next year (until graduation would be even better).
- Accepting a scholarship offer means you cannot have any other scholarship supporting your tuition for that year.
- Accepting a scholarship offer means you agree to move to the funding agency's physical location after graduation.
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Earlier year's key dates:
- Key Dates for the 2025 DoD CSA Program
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01 February 2025 - Application tool closes for all students
28 February 2025 - Student Recommendations and DoD CSA Grant Proposal due by 11:59 PM EST
Early – April 2025 - Scholarship selections will be made
26 April 2025 - Accept or Decline due date
May-June 2025 - Begin grant processing
July 2025 – DoD CSA Boot Camp - Key Dates for the 2024 DoD Cyber Scholarship Program
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01 February 2024 - Application tool closes for all students
28 February 2024 - Student Recommendations and DoD CySP/DCDSA Grant Proposal due by 11:59 PM EST
Early – April 2024 - Scholarship selections will be made
26 April 2024 - Accept or Decline due date
May-June 2024 - Begin grant processing
July 2024 – DoD CySP / DCDSA Boot Camp