Cyber Service Academy

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.

2026–27 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 for the 2026–27 academic year. Information about this cycle is given below. 

Download the flyer.

Advantages

• Full cost of tuition and all fees provided for the 2026–27 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
• Covering the cost of 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 2026.
• 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 on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. for any students who would like to learn more about the application process, ask questions, etc.  

The session will be offered at this link on Zoom. 

How to Apply

For complete details, visit the DoW Cyber Service Academy website. 

New Students Applications (due February 17, 2026, at noon EST)

1. Complete the two-part application. 
   1. Part One Application
   2. Part Two Application
2. Submit unofficial transcripts.
3. Submit one (1) letter of recommendation.
4. Submit any cyber competition, cyber exercises, or CTF documentation.

Returning Students Applications (due February 20, 2026, at noon EST)

1. All current CSA awardees must complete the application to apply for or decline additional funding.
2. Complete the application.
3. To apply for additional funding:
   1. Submit unofficial transcripts.
   2. Submit one (1) letter of recommendation.

Contact

Waleed Farag, PhD
Director of the IUP Institute for Cybersecurity
Stright Hall 334
210 S. 10th St.
Indiana, PA 15705

farag@iup.edu
724-357-7995

Previous Cycle Information

• 2024–25 Cyber Service Academy page
• 2023–24 Cyber Scholarship Program page 
• 2022–23 Cyber Scholarship Program page
• 2021–22 Cyber Scholarship Program page
• 2020–21 Cyber Scholarship Program page
• 2019–20 Cyber Scholarship Program page
• 2018–19 IASP page

DoD Capacity Building Project

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