2438580
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SFS AI + Cybersecurity: Preparing the next generation of public professionals in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
With a strong institutional track record in NSF’s Scholarship for Service (SFS) program for preparing students for public service careers in AI and cybersecurity, Dakota State University (DSU) is uniquely positioned to continue contributing to national and global STEM workforce competitiveness.
Through full scholarships, mentoring, internships, and career-placement support, the project will produce qualified professionals capable of implementing AI to enhance NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science and secure the national defense.
The K-12 activities will help high school students and teachers gain cybersecurity and AI knowledge and skills.
This award also includes capacity building activities which will help to develop the workforce in AI areas that will benefit AI education at undergraduate and graduate levels at institutions of higher education (IHEs).
Students selected for the program will receive scholarships while completing the required AI curriculum.
They will participate in a robust support structure that includes mentoring, advising, internships, and regular cohort activities.
Program enhancements reflect the evolving national priorities related to AI and cyber.
All recipients will participate in one of DSU’s undergraduate or graduate AI programs or minors.
Scholars will benefit from applied research experiences, dedicated facilities, and ongoing faculty mentorship.
DSU will continue to collaborate with government partners, including the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories, Department of Defense (DOD), and state agencies to help scholars secure educational internships and pursue career opportunities that align with national priorities.
This project is supported by the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which funds proposals establishing or continuing scholarship programs in cybersecurity and aligns with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce.
Following graduation, scholarship recipients are required to work in cybersecurity for a federal, state, local, or tribal government organization for the same duration as their scholarship support.
This project is also jointly funded by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts, and processes contributing to increasing students' knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
With a strong institutional track record in NSF’s Scholarship for Service (SFS) program for preparing students for public service careers in AI and cybersecurity, Dakota State University (DSU) is uniquely positioned to continue contributing to national and global STEM workforce competitiveness.
Through full scholarships, mentoring, internships, and career-placement support, the project will produce qualified professionals capable of implementing AI to enhance NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science and secure the national defense.
The K-12 activities will help high school students and teachers gain cybersecurity and AI knowledge and skills.
This award also includes capacity building activities which will help to develop the workforce in AI areas that will benefit AI education at undergraduate and graduate levels at institutions of higher education (IHEs).
Students selected for the program will receive scholarships while completing the required AI curriculum.
They will participate in a robust support structure that includes mentoring, advising, internships, and regular cohort activities.
Program enhancements reflect the evolving national priorities related to AI and cyber.
All recipients will participate in one of DSU’s undergraduate or graduate AI programs or minors.
Scholars will benefit from applied research experiences, dedicated facilities, and ongoing faculty mentorship.
DSU will continue to collaborate with government partners, including the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories, Department of Defense (DOD), and state agencies to help scholars secure educational internships and pursue career opportunities that align with national priorities.
This project is supported by the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which funds proposals establishing or continuing scholarship programs in cybersecurity and aligns with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce.
Following graduation, scholarship recipients are required to work in cybersecurity for a federal, state, local, or tribal government organization for the same duration as their scholarship support.
This project is also jointly funded by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts, and processes contributing to increasing students' knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "CYBERCORPS(R) SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23574
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Madison,
South Dakota
57042-1735
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 9% from $3,296,628 to $3,596,628.
Dakota State University was awarded
NSF SFS AI & Cybersecurity Grant: DSU Preparing Next-Gen Professionals
Project Grant 2438580
worth $3,596,628
from the Division of Graduate Education in August 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Madison South Dakota United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/21/25
Period of Performance
8/15/25
Start Date
7/31/28
End Date
Funding Split
$3.6M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.6M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2438580
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2438580
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
491101 DIVISION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION
Funding Office
491101 DIVISION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION
Awardee UEI
ZJH6J31KU5C6
Awardee CAGE
0FRV8
Performance District
SD-00
Senators
John Thune
Mike Rounds
Mike Rounds
Modified: 8/21/25