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The Funded Grant

Under the leadership of the project’s principal investigator, Waleed Farag, IUP, along with a selected group of national universities, has been awarded funding since 2018 from the Department of War in support of the Cyber Service Academy (CSA), formerly known as the Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP).

Project Summary

This project has introduced a systematic program designed to effectively recruit qualified and high-achieving students who are enrolled in our cybersecurity program of study as candidates to the CSA. Selected candidates for this scholarship will receive full support, including a generous annual stipend, a waiver for tuition and all fees, books, and other benefits. Please see the information below about current and previous cycles, including awarded students, the ongoing mentoring program, and other details.

Application Cycle (NEW)

If you are interested in pursuing this full-ride scholarship to support your study in cybersecurity and related fields, the Department of War currently seeks scholarship applications from rising junior and senior (third- and fourth-year) undergraduate and master’s/doctoral students.

Advantages

  • Full cost of tuition and all fees provided for the 2027–28 academic year
  • A $29,000 stipend for undergraduate students to cover room and board
  • A $34,000 stipend for graduate (master’s/PhD) students to cover room and board
  • Annual allowance for required textbooks
  • One-time laptop/computer purchase

Basic Requirements

  • Applicant must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (undergraduate) and 3.5 (graduate) for the duration of the academic year.
  • Applicant must be entering the junior or senior year or a graduate program in fall 2027.
  • Applicant must be a US citizen.
  • By accepting the scholarship, the applicant agrees to work for the DoW as a civilian for one year for each year of scholarship received.

Informational Session

An informational session will be held via zoom (use this link to join) on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. for any students who would like to learn more about the application process, ask questions, etc.  

How to Apply 

Visit the DoW Cyber Service Academy website to begin the application process.  Applications are accepted between October 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027.  All interested students are strongly encouraged to attend the information session.

Contact

Waleed Farag, PhD
Distinguished University Professor and Director of the IUP Institute for Cybersecurity
farag@iup.edu
724-357-7995

Previous Cycle Information

 

DoW Capacity Building Project

In conjunction with the DoW CSA, IUP received funding to find additional ways to recruit more students to enter the cybersecurity workforce. For details about the DoW Capacity Building Project, please visit the DoW Capacity Building Project page.

  • Institute for Cyber Security
  • Stright Hall, Room 233
    210 South Tenth Street
     Indiana, PA 15705
  • Phone: 724-357-2608
  • Fax: 724-357-7908
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.