FAQ: CyberAI SFS Solicitation NSF 26-503

General

1. Why is NSF posting this solicitation?

   The U.S. must grow a strong and adaptive AI workforce. Academic institutions must build a robust national talent pipeline to prepare AI professionals. The federal government now names AI as a priority field. In relation to cybersecurity, AI systems can both generate new threats and become targets of new threats, and AI can strengthen cybersecurity through automation, decision support and fast threat response. The CyberAI SFS program is an extension, reflected in a new name, of the long-standing CyberCorps® SFS program. The new CyberAI SFS program addresses the need for specialized competencies in AI. The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish a scholarship for service program with integrated AI and cybersecurity components. The Innovation Track supports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals.

2. What are the major differences between solicitations NSF 23-574 and NSF 26-503?

   • NSF 26-503 changed the SFS program's core focus to include the use of AI in cybersecurity operations and the security and resilience of AI systems themselves.
   • NSF 26-503 includes student scholarships for service (Scholarship Track) and educational innovations (Innovation Track).
   • The Scholarship Track includes two focus areas:
     • Focus Area–Cyber to prepare cyber experts to use AI in cybersecurity operations.
     • Focus Area–AI to prepare AI professionals to protect the security of AI systems and infrastructure.
   • The Innovation Track supports proposals designed to help the U.S. educational system train more AI and/or cybersecurity experts.

3. Whom do I contact if I am interested in submitting a proposal pursuant to the new CyberAI SFS solicitation and have questions?

   Please email your questions to CyberAI@nsf.gov. For the Innovation Track (only), you may include a one-page synopsis of your intended project/idea. An SFS program officer will respond with answers or will schedule a meeting if additional discussion is needed.

Eligibility

1. Who may submit proposals?

   • For the Scholarship Track: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) accredited in and having a campus located in the U.S. are eligible. Community colleges are eligible only as sub-awardees of partnering four-year SFS institutions as described in the Program Description section of NSF 26-503.
   • For the Innovation Track: Two- and four-year IHEs accredited in and having a campus located in the U.S. are eligible. The following types of non-profit, non-academic organizations are also eligible: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.

2. If a state university system includes several institutions, each having its own leadership and governing structure, are those institutions considered separate entities in regard to the limit of one proposal per institution?

   They will be considered separate institutions for the proposal limit only if they have separate Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers in SAM.gov as well as separate Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs), which are often members of the staff of an institution’s Office of Sponsored Projects or a similar office.

3. Are there any restrictions on who may serve as PI, co-PI or other Senior/Key project personnel?

   Any PI, co-PI, or other Senior/Key project personnel must hold a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research, administration or teaching position at a U.S.-based campus of an organization eligible to submit to NSF 26-503, with exceptions granted for individuals on family or medical leave. Individuals with primary appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations or at overseas branch campuses of U.S. institutions of higher education are not eligible.

4. We are forming our team to prepare a proposal. Some faculty members are not yet Green card holders. Can they serve as a PI or co-PI on the proposal?

   The PAPPG Ch.1.E.3 has guidance on which types of individuals are not eligible. Please check with your institution’s Sponsored Research Office to obtain additional guidance regarding any specific individual.

5. Are collaborative proposals submitted from multiple institutions allowed?

   Collaborative proposals, described in PAPPG Ch.2.E.3, may be submitted in response to NSF 26-503.

Additional Criteria

1. Are there any additional eligibility criteria?

   • For the Scholarship Track, a proposing institution must provide clearly documented evidence within the project narrative of a strong existing program in AI or cybersecurity. Such evidence may include ABET accreditation or designation by the National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in cybersecurity or CyberAI. ABET does not offer specific AI accreditation as of 2025, but accredited institutions may describe AI-focused components considered during the accreditation process. Proposers can also provide equivalent evidence, within the project narrative, documenting a strong program in cybersecurity or AI.
   • For the Innovation Track, evidence of a strong existing program is not required, but the supplementary documents section of proposals may include evidence of NCAE designation, ABET cybersecurity accreditation, or an equivalent certification in cybersecurity education or research.

2. For the Scholarship Track, if an institution has programs with at least four courses in both AI and cybersecurity, can their proposal specify both focus areas: Focus Area–Cyber and Focus Area–AI?

   • No. The solicitation currently requires that a single focus area be selected (either Focus Area–Cyber or Focus Area–AI, but not both).
   • Proposals to NSF 23-574 and NSF 26-503 that resulted in an award may be allowed to adjust the scope of their project. PIs of projects that are interested in modifying their scope should contact their cognizant NSF program officer.

3. Can a significant number of AI Knowledge Units within cybersecurity courses be considered equivalent to a stand-alone AI course to satisfy the Focus Area–Cyber requirements?

   Yes. The presence of AI Knowledge Units in cybersecurity courses can be considered as an equivalent to a standalone AI course. Proposers must provide justification of equivalency in their proposal for consideration during the NSF merit review process.

4. Does a proposal in either track need to include an evaluation plan and an evaluator? Who do you consider to be an external evaluator?

   • Yes. Both tracks require an evaluation plan. Evaluation plans must identify expected project outcomes and corresponding metrics and plans for both formative and summative assessments. For the Scholarship Track, the evaluation plan may address scholars' employment and achievements, faculty development, curriculum, and institutional partnerships. For the Innovation Track, the evaluation plan should address project progress, outcomes, and dissemination.
   • To be considered external, the evaluator must be independent of the project to avoid bias, either real or perceived.

Submission Dates

1. What is the difference between a deadline and a target date?

   Target dates and deadline dates are two different types of due dates utilized by NSF. Target dates are dates after which proposals will still be accepted, although they may miss a particular review panel, potentially affecting their chances of funding. Deadline dates are dates after which proposals will not be accepted or will be returned without review.

2. In 2026, there are two due dates for the Scholarship Track. What are the practical implications of having two due dates?

   • For 2026, there are two Scholarship Track competitions: the target date of April 3, 2026, is anticipated to result in awards that will be made prior to the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The July 21, 2026, due date is anticipated to result in awards made during FY 2027.
   • Proposals submitted prior to the target date of April 3, 2026, will be reviewed as they arrive at NSF. Proposals submitted after the target date may be reviewed upon arrival at NSF or, at the latest, in conjunction with proposals submitted in advance of the July 21, 2026, deadline date. Proposals submitted after July 21, 2026, will not be accepted or will be returned without review.

3. The Innovation Track uses target dates. What is a practical implication of that?

   For all practical purposes, the Innovation Track will accept proposals at any time. The NSF system will accept proposals continuously up to 12 months before the annual target date of April 3 and up to 30 days after April 3. Proposals submitted within 30 days after April 3 will either be reviewed upon arrival or will be held for consideration with proposals submitted for the upcoming year’s target date of April 3. All proposals submitted more than 30 days after the April 3 target date will be considered as part of the cohort of proposals submitted for the following year’s target date. Proposals submitted for a specific target date will be reviewed as they arrive.

4. May an institution submit a proposal to both due dates for the Scholarship Track in 2026?

   • If an institution submits a proposal to the April 3, 2026, target date (FY2026 funding competition) and the proposal is declined, then the institution may submit again to the July 21, 2026, deadline (FY2027 funding competition). Previously declined proposals may be resubmitted only after substantial revision. A resubmitted proposal that has not clearly taken into account the major comments or concerns resulting from prior NSF review may be returned without review.
   • If a proposal receives an award in FY2026, it is highly unlikely that the same institution will receive a second award in FY2027 in the Scholarship Track due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the need for a balanced portfolio (currently there are 106 SFS institutions; nine states lack an SFS institution).

5. If an institution submits a proposal for the April 3, 2026, target date and the proposal remains pending, may the institution submit a new proposal for the July 21, 2026, deadline?

   Yes, but a proposal will not be accepted, or will be returned without review, if it is a duplicate of, or substantially similar to, a proposal already under consideration by NSF from the same submitter (see PAPPG IV.B.5).

6. May an institution with an active CyberCorps® SFS award submit a proposal to the CyberAI SFS Scholarship Track? If yes, would the proposal be considered a “renewal” proposal and therefore subject to the 14-month restriction?

   Yes. Any eligible institution, whether with an active CyberCorps® SFS award or not, may submit a proposal. Because the CyberAI SFS solicitation (NSF 26-503) is significantly different from the CyberCorps® SFS solicitation (NSF 23-574), proposals from institutions previously funded under CyberCorps® SFS will be treated as new projects, while renewal proposals for existing CyberAI SFS awards will be allowed, including traditional and accomplishment-based renewals with the 14-month submission constraint and documentation requirements, as described in the CyberAI SFS solicitation (NSF 26-503).

7. Since the Innovation Track accepts proposals over a 12-month period, what starting date should we request in the proposal?

   The requested start date should be at least six months after the submission date to allow time for NSF’s review, processing, and decision.

Restrictions

1. Is there a limit on the number of proposals for an organization?

   There is no restriction on the number of proposals submitted for the Innovation Track. For the Scholarship Track, each organization is limited to one proposal submitted for the same competition due date. Each institutional office of research may have internal processes used to select a single proposal from possible candidates for submission to the Scholarship Track.

2. If an institution is a non-lead on a collaborative Scholarship Track proposal, can it submit a stand-alone proposal to the same competition and due date?

   No. The collaborative non-lead submission counts as the one allowed submission to the competition date.

3. What is the limit on the number of proposals per person?

   • For the Scholarship Track, an individual must not participate as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel on more than one proposal submitted for the same competition due date. In 2026, there are two competition due dates. In subsequent years, there will be one competition due date per year.
   • For the Innovation Track, an individual must not participate as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel on more than two proposals submitted within any 12-month period.

4. Is an institution allowed to submit a proposal to the Scholarship Track and the Innovation Track within the same year?

   Yes, an institution may submit one proposal under the Scholarship Track and any number of proposals submitted under the Innovation Track.

5. Is additional information allowed in the supplementary documents section?

   As stated in the NSF PAPPG, the entire project description must be included in the 15-page Project Description section. There are only a small number of items allowed in the supplementary documents section of the proposal, as applicable, such as: Postdoctoral Researcher and Graduate Student Mentoring Plan; Plans for Data Management; Letters of Collaboration; etc. See Chapter II.D.2.i of NSF PAPPG for details. All letters of collaboration should follow the PAPPG guidelines. Letters of support are not authorized by this program solicitation, and proposals including such letters may be returned without review. In addition to the items listed in the PAPPG, the CyberAI SFS solicitation allows the following additional items to be submitted as Supplementary Documents: evidence of ABET cybersecurity accreditation, National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) designation, or an equivalent certificate in cybersecurity education or research.

6. Should the evaluation plan be described in the Project Description? Or should it be a supplementary document?

   The evaluation plan must be part of the Project Description section.

Budget

1. Are there limits to the proposed budget or duration for this program?

   • An Innovation Track proposal can be for up to three years in duration with an annual budget between $100,000 and $200,000. The maximum award amount is $500,000.
   • The duration of a Scholarship Track budget must be three years and should include stipends, tuition and professional allowances for CyberAI students. The maximum award amount is $2,500,000.

2. For the Scholarship Track, may we include budget funds to support SFS students during internships?

   No. Students are expected to participate in a paid internship offered by a government organization. The proposed budget must not include any internship support.

Innovation Track Specific: Scope

1. For the Innovation Track, can we focus solely on AI, even though the program name is CyberAI SFS?

   Yes. The Innovation Track seeks transformative education proposals in the areas of either AI or cybersecurity as well as the integration of AI and cybersecurity.

2. Can the Innovation Track support K-12 students or educators? Can the focus be on workforce development for the general public? Or is this only focused on academic settings?

   All proposals focusing on formal education at any level as well as education in informal settings are welcomed. Support for both K-12 students and teachers is allowed.

3. In regard to the Innovation Track, is the expectation that AI and cybersecurity be implemented with other STEM disciplines; or can proposals only address AI and another discipline(s); or cybersecurity and another discipline(s); or AI and cybersecurity; or AI only; or cybersecurity only?

   All the listed possibilities are within the scope of the Innovation Track.

Scholarship Track Specific: Management

1. Are international students eligible for the Scholarships for Service?

   No. Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

2. Could you clarify whether the participant stipends of $27,000/$37,000 are intended to pay for each scholar's academic tuition and fees, or whether we should budget for tuition in addition to the stipend as part of the participant support?

   The $27,000/$37,000 amounts are intended as student stipends to be paid directly to the students. In addition, a project’s budget includes requests for support for tuition, mandatory fees and a professional development allowance as part of the participant support costs portion of the budget.

3. Is it acceptable to support student cohorts from multiple programs such as an MS in Computer Science and MS in Cybersecurity if both programs satisfy the stated requirements?

   Yes. It is acceptable.

4. For the Scholarship Track, what are acceptable degrees and pathways?

   Projects can enroll students (a) with sophomore standing in an associate's degree program that will continue to remain enrolled through completion of a bachelor's degree; (b) with junior or senior standing in a bachelor's degree program or accelerated bachelor’s/master’s combination; (c) enrolled in a master's degree program; or (d) enrolled in a research-based doctoral program. Second-year students at community and two-year colleges are eligible for one year of support at the community or two-year college if there is a formal agreement between their college and a four-year institution that will accept students who transfer to complete a bachelor's degree and receive two years of additional support.

5. What role does the CyberAI SFS institution play in identifying, securing and monitoring summer internship and post-graduation placements?

   SFS scholarship recipients are responsible for their own internship and post-graduation job searches via USAJobs.gov and specific agency portals. However, the SFS Program Office provides several tools to aid scholarship recipients in their job search, including webinars, job fairs, newsletters with job opportunities, etc. In addition, the SFS statute provides a special hiring authority allowing for non-competitive appointment and conversions at the end of the service obligation period. Please note that CyberAI SFS institutional responsibility includes coordination with the CyberAI SFS Program Office to monitor summer internships and permanent job placements of each student.

6. Do we need to include a letter from the institution’s research office — or another appropriate administrator — verifying that the institution can fulfill the specified responsibilities, such as monitoring scholars’ employment obligations, using Forgivable Loan Promissory Notes or similar agreements with students to facilitate repayment, and determining repayment amounts and notifying both the recipient and the CyberAI SFS Program Office?

   The Project Description section of each proposal needs to address the CyberAI SFS Institutional Responsibility. No letters of commitment are allowed by the CyberAI SFS solicitation (NSF 26-503). A letter of collaboration is allowed (e.g. from an external evaluator).