Washington Headquarters Services · Department of Defense
Department of War Cyber Service Academy (DoW CSA)
In short: Washington Headquarters Services expects to make 75 awards of $50,000 to $20 million.
Key facts
- Deadline
- Accepts applications through Jan 22, 2030. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Award size
- $50K – $20M
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Set by the official notice: see Who can apply below
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Blount County (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 7
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
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.
Who can apply, from the official notice
Please see Section C of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (under the "Related Documents" tab) for complete eligibility requirements.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/5485b163-57e7-4818-b290-f1cdc0a65555 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/8249e9a8-2608-4817-aadc-ef77509fb80d
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct9
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Jan1
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Jan15
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Jan20
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Jan22
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Blount County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice H08_HQ003425NFOEASD03_20260319.pdf (15 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Award size and project length
Project period: 5 years · p. 2
“FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION The DoW estimates awarding initiative grant awards with an estimated ceiling amount and a period of performance ending 5 years from the date of the award to designated institutions, operating independently or in collaboration with…” Open page 2
Registrations you need first (2)
Grants.gov · p. 1
“See Grants.gov Dates GRANTS OFFICE CONTACTS: jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil (Grants Officer) fedline.crowell.civ@mail.mil (Grants Specialist) PROGRAM OFFICE CONTACT: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil A.” Open page 1
Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 5
“UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) Organizations must have a UEI, active SAM registration, and a Grants.gov account to apply for grants.” Open page 5
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 4
“Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Form (PDF), except for the Initial Work Plan, unless otherwise specified in this announcement.” Open page 4
Project abstract or summary · p. 4
“REQUIRED FORM PAGE LIMIT SF424 Mandatory Form (V3.0) N/A Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF424B) (V1.1) N/A Budget Information for Non- construction Programs (SF424A) (V1.0) N/A Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (V2.0) N/A Project Abstract…” Open page 4
Form SF-424 · p. 4
“REQUIRED FORM PAGE LIMIT SF424 Mandatory Form (V3.0) N/A Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF424B) (V1.1) N/A Budget Information for Non- construction Programs (SF424A) (V1.0) N/A Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (V2.0) N/A Project Abstract…” Open page 4
Form SF-424B · p. 4
“REQUIRED FORM PAGE LIMIT SF424 Mandatory Form (V3.0) N/A Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF424B) (V1.1) N/A Budget Information for Non- construction Programs (SF424A) (V1.0) N/A Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (V2.0) N/A Project Abstract…” Open page 4
Form SF-424A · p. 4
“REQUIRED FORM PAGE LIMIT SF424 Mandatory Form (V3.0) N/A Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF424B) (V1.1) N/A Budget Information for Non- construction Programs (SF424A) (V1.0) N/A Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (V2.0) N/A Project Abstract…” Open page 4
Form SF-LLL · p. 4
“REQUIRED FORM PAGE LIMIT SF424 Mandatory Form (V3.0) N/A Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF424B) (V1.1) N/A Budget Information for Non- construction Programs (SF424A) (V1.0) N/A Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (V2.0) N/A Project Abstract…” Open page 4
Formatting rules
12-point font · p. 4
“Font shall be Times New Roman, 12 point” Open page 4
Dates in the notice
April 20, 2026 · p. 5
“SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES Institutionally approved, signed, completed proposals which include all items listed above and all student applications must be submitted on/before April 20, 2026.” Open page 5
Mistakes that get applications rejected (2)
Could get your application rejected: Capacity building only proposals will not be accepted. · p. 2
“Capacity building only proposals will not be accepted.” Open page 2
Late or not validated: Proposals or student materials that are submitted after the deadline of April 20, 2026, are “late” and... · p. 5
“Proposals or student materials that are submitted after the deadline of April 20, 2026, are “late” and will not be considered for an award or scholarship. 5.” Open page 5
Files from the official listing
The notice, forms and templates the agency attached. Some programs ask for a letter of intent or a form before the full application.
- H08_DoW_Retention_Program_2026_2027.pdf (78 KB)
DoW Retention Program 2026-2027 - H08_DoW_CSA_INSuRE_Summer_Camp_2027.pdf (287 KB)
DoW CSA INSuRE Summer Camp 2027 - H08_DoW_CSA_Bootcamp_2027.pdf (143 KB)
DoW CSA Bootcamp 2027 - H08_DoW_CSA_Budget_and_Student_Identification_Sheet_2026-2027.xlsx (88 KB)
DoW CSA Budget and Student Identification Sheet 2026-2027 - H08_Application_Instructions_20260319.pdf (89 KB)
Application Instructions 20260319 - H08_Evaluation_Factors_DoW_CSA_20260227.pdf (203 KB)
Evaluation Factors - H08_HQ003425NFOEASD03_20260319.pdf (444 KB)
Academic Year 2026-2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity
Who in Tennessee has won this program
5 awards to Tennessee groups in 2 counties since 2024 · 0 in Blount County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $388K | 2025 |
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $286K spent that year | 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; Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 2 pass-through grants on file · 0 in Blount County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | Fordham University | $25K spent that year | 2024 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | Fordham University | $5,288 spent that year | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
More from Washington Headquarters Services
- Pacific Disaster Center · The funder's estimated date (Sep 15, 2026) has passed. Check the official notice Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Center for Foundational Academic Research and Strategic Innovation for the Defense Enterprise (C-FARSIDE) · Next round: about Jul 16 – Aug 17, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- DoW’s Energy, Installations, and Environment Innovation Partners Programs · Accepts applications through Jan 8, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NDEP STEM Open NFO · Accepts applications through Feb 8, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Defense Security Cooperation University - Research Grants · Accepts applications through Aug 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- National Center for Narrative Intelligence (NCNI) · Accepts applications through Aug 19, 2031. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
About the federal program
Information Security Grants, also called “Department of War Cyber Service Academy”
Program number 12.902 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) · Project grant
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.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Awarded Recruitment Scholarships - 75 new / 120 returning
Awarded Retention Scholarships - 0 new / 7 returning
Capacity Building - 0 new projects