NSF Announces Awards to Advance AI & Cybersecurity Education & Workforce Development

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education announced the inaugural awards under the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program, representing a major expansion of NSF’s longstanding Scholarship for Service initiative. The awards support colleges and universities that are preparing the next generation of professionals to address emerging cybersecurity challenges in an era in which AI is transforming both cyber defense and cyber risk.

The CyberAI SFS program expands the traditional scope of cybersecurity education to reflect the increasingly interconnected relationship between AI and cybersecurity. Funded projects aim to prepare students not only to leverage AI to strengthen cybersecurity operations, including threat detection, incident response and digital forensics, but also to develop AI systems that are resilient, secure and capable of withstanding evolving cyber threats.

The fiscal year 2026 competition attracted proposals from colleges and universities across the country. Following NSF’s rigorous merit review process, the selected projects emerged for their potential to advance education and workforce development, while addressing pressing national priorities at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. “Through the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program, NSF is investing in the talent needed to secure today’s digital infrastructure and AI-enabled technologies and advance the nation’s capacity to meet evolving cybersecurity threats,” said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director.

The awardees reflect a shared commitment to preparing professionals with expertise that spans AI and cybersecurity, skills that are increasingly critical to protecting federal systems, critical infrastructure, defense, healthcare, energy and other sectors essential to the nation’s security and economic well-being.

Many of the projects introduce innovative educational models that bring together disciplines traditionally taught separately. Students will engage with integrated coursework spanning AI-enabled cyber defense and cyber-physical systems security, equipping them to navigate the rapidly evolving CyberAI landscape.

The awards also emphasize experiential learning as a cornerstone of workforce preparation. Through faculty-mentored research, cyber virtual training, security laboratories, internships, capstone experiences and partnerships addressing real-world government and critical infrastructure challenges, students will graduate with practical experience alongside technical knowledge and skills.

By combining scholarships with strong mentoring, career development and partnerships across the public sector, the funded projects will strengthen direct pathways into federal, state, local, Tribal and territorial government service. Together, they will continue to build a sustainable pipeline of professionals prepared to support the missions of government agencies and safeguard the nation’s increasingly AI-enabled digital and technology ecosystem. The awardee institutions and their projects are:

• Arizona State University, Arizona: CyberAI SFS: AI-Augmented Cybersecurity Scholars Program.
• Augusta University, Georgia: CyberAI SFS: Government-Ready Experts in Resilient CyberAI (AUGER CyberAI).
• California State University, San Bernardino, California: CyberAI SFS: Building a Federal Workforce Pipeline of AI-Enabled Cybersecurity Professionals.
• Michigan Technological University, Michigan: CyberAI SFS: Building the Future Cybersecurity & AI Workforce.
• New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey: CyberAI SFS: Secure Computing With AI.
• Old Dominion University, Virginia: CyberAI SFS: Preparing Future CyberAI Leaders Through AI-Integrated Training & Applied Learning Experiences.
• Texas A&M University, Texas: CyberAI SFS: Building an AI-Powered Government Workforce.
• University of Central Florida, Florida: CyberAI SFS: Educating Florida’s Federal CyberAI Workforce for Secure AI in Space, Defense & Modeling & Simulation.
• University of New Haven, Connecticut: CyberAI SFS: Building an AI-Empowered Cybersecurity Workforce Through Integrated BS/MS Pathways.
• University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island: CyberAI SFS: Multi-Pathway CyberAI Scholarship for Service.
• University of West Florida, Florida: CyberAI SFS: Future Operations, Resilience & Career Ecosystem (CyberAI SFS FORCE).
• The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas: CyberAI SFS: Training Next Generation AI-Proficient Cybersecurity Workforce for Offense & Defense.
• The University of Texas at El Paso, Texas: CyberAI SFS: Building an AI-Integrated Cybersecurity Workforce.
• Vanderbilt University, Tennessee: CyberAI SFS: Secure & Trustworthy AI Research & Training Program (STAR).

EPA Convenes Roundtable Focused on Strengthening the Water Sector Workforce

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met on Aug. 4 for a roundtable on water workforce to discuss how to help recruit and retain individuals into meaningful careers in water and to identify opportunities where EPA can help reduce barriers and improve interstate coordination.

EPA’s Office of Water was joined by water systems, water associations, states and other partners to engage in proactive discussions about how to address a potential widespread shortage of qualified workers due to anticipated retirements. This engagement will inform EPA’s efforts to revitalize the 2020 Water Workforce Initiative, while creating an online toolbox with resources that water systems, states and technical assistance providers can use to improve recruiting, development and retention.

“Every time we turn on the tap, flush the toilet or water the garden, we are depending on the dedicated professionals managing public water systems. It is imperative that the water sector be set up for success, which is why the Trump EPA is focused on working with our partners to bolster career recruitment and retention,” said Jesse Kramer, EPA assistant administrator for water. “This roundtable discussion was a meaningful step in this shared effort because there are proactive actions we can take to reduce barriers and encourage talented professionals to enter the water sector and help protect public health by ensuring that all Americans can rely on clean, safe water.”

The water sector, including drinking water and wastewater systems, is facing a widespread shortage of qualified workers due to expected retirements. Approximately one-third of the water workforce is nearing retirement age. Additionally, new technical and scientific skillsets are needed to operate and maintain modern systems, implement cybersecurity best practices and address new challenges.

This wave of retirements also comes at a time when new investments are needed to address the nation’s aging water infrastructure. While investments in water infrastructure through the State Revolving Fund Programs, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and other programs are critical, investing in human capital is essential to strengthening the water sector to benefit current and future generations.

By connecting individuals to jobs in the water sector, providing critical training and expanding public awareness about the benefits of careers providing vital water services, EPA will help the water sector meet current and future needs. Developing internships and apprenticeship programs, education programs and other resources will ensure a strong pipeline of workers and high-quality jobs to provide clean, safe drinking water for all Americans.