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Simpler Grants

No. 26-503 · U.S. National Science Foundation

Open

Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Education Innovation and Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS)

grants.gov listing Full announcement (NOFO)
Dealbreakers No cost share required Audit: not stated Reimbursement-only: not stated
Award range
$300,000 – $2,500,000
Expected awards
~25
Application deadline
Apr 5, 2027
Posted
Feb 4, 2026
Last verified
Yesterday

At a glance

AI summary

The program funds scholarship projects and educational innovation projects in AI and cybersecurity. Scholarship projects are for U.S.-based accredited colleges and universities, and students who receive scholarships must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and agree to work in AI or cybersecurity for a government agency after graduation for at least as long as the scholarship. Innovation projects may also be submitted by U.S.-based two-year and four-year colleges, including community colleges, and by certain U.S.-based non-profit educational or research organizations. Up to 25 projects per year are expected, with maximum awards of $2,500,000 for Scholarship Track projects and $500,000 for Innovation Track projects. For the Scholarship Track, each organization may submit only one proposal per competition date, while there is no proposal limit for organizations on the Innovation Track.

AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement

What it funds

  • Science and Technology and other Research and Development
  • Training, Fellowship & Career Development
  • Educators & Health/Public-Service Workforce
  • Students & Learners (K-12 and Postsecondary)
  • AI, Computing & Cybersecurity
  • STEM Education & Research Training
  • Workforce, Employment & Economic Mobility
Official description from grants.gov

Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service ( CyberAI SFS ) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce development. CyberAI refers to using AI in cybersecurity as well as providing security and resilience for AI systems. The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish, or to continue, scholarship for service programs with integrated AI and cybersecurity components (CyberAI). Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and work after graduation in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government organization for a period of at least the length of the scholarship. The Innovation Track supports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. Projects may expand existing educational opportunities, curricula, degree programs, educational pathways, methods and interventions, and partnerships among institutions of higher education, government, and employers. Two statutes authorize this program: 15 USC §7442 (cybersecurity) and 42 USC §18993 (AI). CyberAI SFS aligns with the Executive Order 14277 to prioritize AI within scholarship for service programs. CyberAI is managed by NSF’s Directorate for STEM Education in collaboration with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Who can apply

  • Others
Geographic restriction None found in the announcement — likely nationwide

Program history

USASpending.gov

Assistance listing 47.076 · STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)

Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (47.076), not just this notice.

Fiscal year Awards Median award Middle half
FY 2026 (so far) 93 $743,868 $218,502 – $1,887,597
FY 2025 803 $475,000 $242,507 – $1,000,000
FY 2024 1,421 $398,874 $200,164 – $909,820
FY 2023 1,303 — —
FY 2022 1,344 — —
FY 2021 1,191 — —

For comparison, this notice advertises $300,000 – $2,500,000.

Dollar figures are based on the 1,000 most recent awards we store, not all 6,155 — award counts are complete.

Who wins it Higher education (5,466), Business (351), Tribal government (18) of 6,155 awards — categories can overlap.
Top states CA (93) · TX (67) · NY (65) · NC (49) · IL (37)
Largest recent awards
  1. GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORP $8,990,942 · FY 2025
  2. THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO $8,000,000 · FY 2025
  3. CAL POLY POMONA FOUNDATION INC $7,500,000 · FY 2025
  4. FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY $7,500,000 · FY 2025
  5. MONTANA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY $7,500,000 · FY 2025

Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Aug 5, 2026

Change history

Since we first indexed it
  1. Aug 8, 2026 Eligibility text updated
  2. Aug 6, 2026 Title updated
  3. Aug 6, 2026 Deadline moved: Jul 20, 2027 → Apr 5, 2027
  4. Jul 30, 2026 Grant announcement document replaced
  5. Jul 30, 2026 Status: closed → open
  6. Jul 30, 2026 Deadline moved: Jul 21, 2026 → Jul 20, 2027
  7. Jul 22, 2026 Status: open → closed