Washington Headquarters Services · Department of Defense
Department of War Cyber Service Academy (DoW CSA)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Jan 22, 2030 · 1204 days left
- Award size
- $50K – $20M
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 4
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
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Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/5485b163-57e7-4818-b290-f1cdc0a65555 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/8249e9a8-2608-4817-aadc-ef77509fb80d
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About this grant
See the "Related Documents" and "Package" tabs for the complete application package, including the full text of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The Department of War (DoW) Cyber Service Academy (CSA) is authorized by Chapter 112 of Title 10, United States Code, Section 2200. The purpose of the program is to support the recruitment of new cyber talent and the retention of current highly skilled professionals within the DoW cyber workforce. Additionally, this program serves to enhance the national pipeline for the development of cyber personnel by providing grants to institutions of higher education.
Regionally and nationally accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, designated under the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) and known as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, Research, and/or Cyber Operations (hereinafter referred to as designated institutions) are invited to submit proposals for developing and managing a full-time, institution-based, grant-funded scholarship program in cyber-related disciplines for Academic Year 2026-2027.
Consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2200b, proposals to this solicitation may also request modest collateral support for purposes of institutional capacity building to include faculty development, laboratory improvements, and/or curriculum development, in cyber-related topics to providing a strong foundation for a DoW CSA.
Eligibility (from the notice)
Please see Section C of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (under the "Related Documents" tab) for complete eligibility requirements.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
4 awards to Tennessee recipients in 2 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $388K | 2025 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $260K | 2024 |
| University Of Tennessee | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $169K | 2025 |
| University Of Tennessee | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $116K | 2024 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (12.902)
Information Security Grants — Department of War Cyber Service Academy
How applications are judged
The selection criteria for awards under this program vary based on the specific type of funding or participation.
Scholar Selection
Recruitment Students: Scholars applying through the recruitment pathway are selected directly by participating Department of War (DoW) Agencies and Components. This selection is based on the specific cyber talent needs and mission requirements of each organization.
Retention Students: Current DoW civilians and active-duty military members applying through the retention pathway are selected by a formal panel. This panel consists of faculty members from participating academic institutions and government cybersecurity experts who evaluate applicants based on their qualifications and potential to contribute to the DoW's cyber mission.
Institutional Project Selection
Capacity Building Projects: Proposals submitted by institutions for capacity building projects are evaluated and selected by a panel of government subject matter experts. Selection is based on the project's potential to enhance cybersecurity education and research, thereby strengthening the overall cyber academic ecosystem.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Awarded Recruitment Scholarships - 75 new / 120 returning
Awarded Retention Scholarships - 0 new / 7 returning
Capacity Building - 0 new projects