The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Campus is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program.
Overview
As leaders in aviation and aerospace cybersecurity research and education, Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ, campuses are proud to jointly participate in the NSF CyberCorps® SFS program. Through rigorous, interdisciplinary academics and co-curricular experiences, Embry-Riddle’s SFS graduates are uniquely prepared to successfully meet the government's needs for aviation and aerospace cybersecurity workforce.
Embry-Riddle SFS is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity engineering professionals, with specific focus on aviation and aerospace cybersecurity. The graduates of the program are expected to meet the cybersecurity workforce needs of federal government, as well as state, local and tribal governments. The program provides scholarships for up to two years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the NSF. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation in government cybersecurity position for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
Students selected as SFS scholars will receive a full-ride scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year that covers the following:
- Academic-year stipends of $27,000 per year for undergraduate students and $37,000 per year for graduate students.
- Tuition and education-related fees (does not include items such as meal plans, housing or parking).
- Professional allowance of $6,000 per academic year for SFS Job Fair and other travel, conferences, research materials and supplies, a laptop, books, professional training and certifications, etc.
- Participation in virtual and in-person job fairs in Washington, D.C.
SFS scholars must agree to:
- Work immediately following graduation for the Federal Government or a State, Local or Tribal Government in the United States in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
- Participate in government internship positions in the summers during the years of scholarship study.
- Participate in other SFS activities, such as weekly individual meetings, monthly group meetings, cyber competitions, and conferences and workshops.
- Meet other SFS requirements, such as signing Service Agreement Forms and maintaining good academic standing.
SFS scholars are responsible to apply for and obtain a position after graduation. Embry-Riddle SFS program will assist SFS scholars by helping identify employment and internship opportunities.
Applicants to the SFS program must be or have:
- Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States who is not already a US government employee but who meets the criteria for Federal employment.
- Enrolled full-time in an Embry-Riddle SFS eligible undergraduate or graduate program at Daytona Beach Campus with two years left before graduation for undergraduate students or newly admitted graduate students.
- B.S. in Computer Science (Cybersecurity Engineering AOC)
- B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Science (Avionics Cybertechnology and Security AOC)
- M.S. in Computer Science (Cybersecurity Engineering AOC)
- B.S. in another participating degree program on Daytona Beach Campus and Minor in Cybersecurity Engineering
- B.S. in another participating degree program on Daytona Beach Campus and Minor in Cybersecurity Application and Management
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Ability to obtain a security clearance. More information about security clearances can be found on the National Background Investigations Bureau site. The procedures and forms used by agencies may vary, but the Standard Form (SF) 86 (Questionnaire for National Security positions) is often used for background investigations and security clearances.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Campus is a National Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) based on cyber-related programs offered and supported by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. As an SFS scholar, you will collaborate with Embry-Riddle students, faculty and researchers at Daytona Beach as well as Prescott campuses. As a result, you will:
- Gain a rigorous, aviation and aerospace cybersecurity focused, education through your degree coursework on the Daytona Beach campus.
- Engage with a dynamic and innovative community of thinkers, leaders and doers in cybersecurity from both campuses.
- Hone your knowledge and practice essential skills through hands-on research opportunities with faculty and peers from both campuses.
- Build relationships and prepare for critical cybersecurity work in government service.
- Attend technical talks given by representatives from government agencies, national laboratories and industry leaders through Distinguished Speaker Series, President’s Forum and other university activities.
- Enhance your critical thinking and decision-making skills through internship opportunities and hands-on cybersecurity projects.
- Access a vibrant community of Embry-Riddle alumni who work in the public sector.
How to Apply
Please contact Katy Donnelly for additional information:
Email: donnelk2@erau.edu
Phone: 386-226-6938
You may also contact one of the Embry-Riddle faculty below:
- Dr. Radu Babiceanu
Email: babicear@erau.eduPhone: 386-226-7535
- Dr. Keith Garfield
Email: garfielk@erau.eduPhone: 386-226-7081
- Dr. Omar Ochoa
Email: ochoao@erau.eduPhone: 386-226-7177
You can also fill out the Prospective SFS Student Form, and we will contact you.
Due Date
- Spring 2025
Additional Resources
- CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service: Frequently Asked Questions about the SFS program.
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education: Resources for building a resume based on the NICE framework.
- SFS Current Student Canvas Course