DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) | HQ003425NFOEASD03

Opportunity Information: Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD03

The Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) is a discretionary grant program run through Washington Headquarters Services that funds cyber scholarship programs at qualifying U.S. colleges and universities. It is authorized under Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 112 (Section 2200) and is designed to strengthen the DoD cyber workforce in two ways: by recruiting new cyber talent into DoD service and by helping retain and further develop current, highly skilled DoD cyber professionals. At the same time, it aims to grow the broader national pipeline of cybersecurity personnel by investing directly in higher education institutions that train students in cyber-related fields.

Only U.S. institutions of higher education that are regionally or nationally accredited and formally designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) can apply. Specifically, eligible applicants are NCAE-C institutions recognized in Cyber Defense, Cyber Research, and/or Cyber Operations (referred to in the notice as NCAE-Cs). Institutions must also be in good standing with the NCAE-C Program Office and current on required NCAE-C documentation. While the lead applicant must be an NCAE-C, the program allows (and encourages) collaboration with other accredited institutions, including accredited minority-serving postsecondary institutions, as part of a broader partnership approach.

The core activity funded by this opportunity is the creation and management of a full-time, institution-based scholarship program in cyber-related disciplines. The scholarship program is intended to support Academic Year 2024-2025, and the notice also references continuing development of a strong recruitment foundation into Academic Year 2025-2026 by identifying the student categories that may apply. In addition to scholarship support, proposals may request modest collateral funding for institutional capacity building, such as faculty professional development, cyber laboratory improvements, and curriculum development in cyber-related topics, provided these investments strengthen the foundation needed to operate a successful DoD CSA program. Importantly, scholarship and capacity-building funds are only available to NCAE-C institutions under this solicitation.

On the student side, eligibility is governed by the statutory requirements cited in the notice (10 U.S.C. 2200b and referenced eligibility criteria at 10 U.S.C. 2220b). Students must also meet the admissions and program requirements of the institution they intend to attend, and applicants are cautioned that DoD CSA requirements can be more demanding than standard university enrollment rules. The notice emphasizes that no waivers will be granted, so both institutions and students need to review eligibility details carefully before applying. The program identifies several student categories for the recruitment scholarship pipeline, including: rising second-year NCAE-C community college students planning to transfer into a bachelors program at a 4-year NCAE-C; individuals with a non-cyber bachelors or graduate degree who are cross-training into cyber via an associates degree; juniors or seniors in a bachelors program (including sophomores moving into junior year in Fall 2025); first- or second-year masters students; and doctoral students.

The opportunity also draws a clear line between recruitment and retention pathways. Traditional National Guard members and reservists can apply under the recruitment program. Current DoD civilian employees and active duty military members are only eligible under the retention program, which is handled under a separate memorandum and process. DoD civilian employees may be eligible for retention support, but only if they are nominated by their DoD Component, and nominees must be high-performing employees with strong performance ratings and demonstrated potential for increased responsibilities. NCAE-C institutions are not required to collect or forward retention applications. ROTC participants may apply as long as they do not currently have an ROTC-related service obligation. Employees of non-DoD federal agencies are explicitly ineligible for either program.

From a compliance standpoint, applicant organizations must submit a Certificate of Assurance or Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and remain in continuous compliance to be eligible for award. Operationally, the application package and full Notice of Funding Opportunity are provided in the Related Documents and Package sections referenced in the posting, and applicants are expected to rely on those documents for complete instructions, required forms, and submission details.

Key funding details from the posting include an Opportunity Number of HQ003425NFOEASD03, a CFDA/Assistance Listing number of 12.902, and a grant funding instrument. The original application closing date listed is 2025-02-28. The award ceiling is up to 20,000,000, and the program anticipates making about 75 awards, indicating a relatively broad distribution across eligible NCAE-C institutions to expand scholarship capacity and strengthen cyber education pipelines aligned to DoD workforce needs.

• The Washington Headquarters Services in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD03

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: