Five students in UMBC's College of Engineering and Information Technology have been selected for major scholarships to pursue studies in cybersecurity-related fields under UMBC's participation in the National Science Foundation's Scholarship for Service (SFS) Federal CyberCorps program. As SFS Scholars, students receive full tuition, fees, annual reimbursement of professional development expenses ($3,000), a nine-month stipend ($20,000 for undergraduates, $25,000 for MS/MPS students, and $30,000 for PhD students) for up to two years (three years for PhD), and assistance with federal cybersecurity internships and career placement.
The awardees for AY13-14 are:
Nathan Price, MS (CMPE)
Punlada Muangrat, BS (IS)
Shannon Mcpherson, MPS (CYBR)
Alex Cooke, BS (IS)
Denis Danilin, MS (IS)
These new awardees will join existing UMBC SFS Scholars Oliver Kubik (BS, CMSC), Mary Mathews (PhD, CMSC), Brendan Masiar (MPS, CYBR) and Brandyn Schult (MPS, CYBR).
The CyberCorps program produces highly-qualified professionals to meet the United States government's increasing need to protect American's cyber infrastructure. While in the program at UMBC, SFS CyberCorps Scholars participate in special SFS program activities, have opportunities to engage in mentored research opportunities both at UMBC and its partners from industry and government, and must complete a paid summer internship for the federal government. Upon graduation, each student must work for the government (for pay) for one year for each year of scholarship received. Drs. Alan Sherman and Richard Forno direct the program under a five-year $2.5 million NSF grant received in 2012.
NOTE: We expect to have additional SFS slots coming available in January 2014. Applications for SFS support beginning in the Spring 2014 semester will be accepted through 12PM on Friday, 15 November 2013. All levels of study are welcome to apply — however, students must be admitted to (or already enrolled at) UMBC first before applying for SFS.
For information about SFS (including application information and instructions) and other US government-related cybersecurity scholarships available, please visit cisa.umbc.edu.