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Metro State University CyberAI® Scholarship for Service FORCE-AI Program

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FORCE-AI: Fostering Opportunities for Resilient Cybersecurity Education with Artificial Intelligence

FORCE-AI is Metro State University’s National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberAI® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, housed within MNCyber.

The NSF CyberAI® SFS program provides scholarships and educational opportunities that integrate cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to prepare students for cybersecurity and AI careers in government service.

Metro State’s FORCE-AI program prepares undergraduate and graduate students to operate at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Scholars combine advanced coursework with hands-on cybersecurity experiences, applied research, professional certifications, faculty mentoring, and career preparation for service in federal, state, local, and tribal government organizations.

Scholarship Benefits

Multiple scholarships are available for eligible Metro State University students.

Cohort 1 will start in Spring 2027, and Cohort 2 will start in Fall 2027.

  1. Full tuition and eligible fees for the duration of the FORCE-AI scholarship, up to three years depending on the scholar’s academic pathway.
  2. Annual stipend (for living expenses)
    1. $27,000 per year for undergraduate students
    2. $37,000 per year for graduate students
  3. Professional development allowance of up to $6,000 per academic year for activities such as:
    1. Purchasing a one-time laptop
    2. CyberAI® SFS events and travel
    3. Books and educational materials
    4. Professional certifications
    5. Conferences and professional development activities

Students in the accelerated BS+MS pathway receive the undergraduate stipend while completing the undergraduate portion of the program and the graduate stipend while completing the graduate portion.

The FORCE-AI Scholar Experience

FORCE-AI is more than a scholarship. Scholars participate in an integrated cybersecurity and AI education experience designed to prepare them for government service.

  1. Complete at least four cybersecurity courses and two AI-focused courses.
  2. Gain hands-on experience through Metro State’s Cybersecurity Clinic, Educational Security Operations Center (eSOC), Cyber Range, and faculty-led applied research projects.
  3. Build experience using AI in cybersecurity.
  4. Work with a faculty mentor and develop an Individual Development Plan aligned with academic goals, certifications, and government career pathways.
  5. Participate in career preparation, professional development, certifications, CyberAI® SFS events, and government-focused career activities.
  6. Complete a qualifying government-focused internship.

Scholarship Program Participant Requirements

CyberAI® SFS is a Scholarship for Service program. Students who accept a FORCE-AI scholarship agree to the following requirements:

  1. Work for a government organization post-graduation for the number of years of the scholarship award.
  2. Complete one summer internship for at least 10 weeks, typically paid, with a government organization (Federal, State, Local, or Tribal) during the scholarship period.
  3. Participate in required program events, including the annual CyberAI® SFS Job Fair.
  4. Participate in a required program research project and professional development activities.
  5. Sign a required NSF CyberAI® SFS Program Service Agreement.
    1. A participant who fails to comply with any Program requirement will be indebted to the Federal Government and must immediately reimburse the SFS Program. Failure to promptly reimburse the SFS Program will require that the funds be collected as a debt owed to the U.S. Treasury.
  6. Sign a required Metro State University CyberAI® SFS FORCE-AI Program Scholarship Repayment Agreement and Promissory Note.

For more information about the national CyberAI® SFS program, visit the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Program website.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

FORCE-AI scholarships are available to eligible students pursuing approved academic pathways at Metro State University.

FORCE-AI scholarships are available to eligible students enrolled full-time in one of the following MSU academic pathways:

  1. BS in Cybersecurity with AI Cyber Minor
  2. Accelerated BS + MS in Cybersecurity Operations with AI Cyber Minor
  3. MS in Cyber Operations with AI Cyber Minor
  4. BS in Computer Science with AI Cyber Minor
  5. BS in Computer Information Technology with AI Cyber Minor
  6. MS in Computer Science with AI Cyber Minor

To be eligible for consideration for an MSU FORCE-AI CyberAI® SFS scholarship, students must:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
  2. Be enrolled full-time in one of the eligible academic pathways listed above.
  3. Have a minimum 3.00 / 4.0 overall GPA.
  4. For undergraduate students: have completed at least 60 credit hours toward the degree program by the FORCE-AI program start date.
  5. For graduate students: have completed no more than 9 graduate credit hours toward the degree program by the FORCE-AI program start date.
  6. Be able to complete all required CyberAI® SFS cybersecurity and AI coursework within the remaining time to degree.
  7. Meet criteria for qualifying government employment, including the ability to obtain a security clearance if required for a position.

Applicants must submit materials demonstrating their academic preparation, cybersecurity and AI interests, and commitment to government service.

  1. FORCE-AI application
  2. Unofficial academic transcripts
  3. Current resume
  4. Link to your LinkedIn profile, if available
  5. Two-page letter of intent demonstrating your commitment to pursuing an AI or cybersecurity career in government service. Your letter should address:
    1. Commitment to public service: Explain why you want to pursue a career in AI or cybersecurity within government and why public service is important to you.
    2. Government career interests: Identify the federal, state, local, or tribal government organization(s) or mission areas you are most interested in working with after graduation and explain why.
    3. Preparation for a government cybersecurity or AI career: Describe experiences that have prepared you for this path, including relevant coursework, internships, employment, research, technical projects, cyber or AI competitions, industry certifications, presentations or publications, awards, student organizations, or professional activities.
    4. Impact of the FORCE-AI scholarship: Explain how receiving the FORCE-AI scholarship would support your academic, professional, and career development and what opportunities it would make possible for you.
    5. Career goals: Describe your short-term goals for the first 1–4 years after graduation and your long-term goals for 5 or more years after graduation.
  6. Two letters of professional or academic recommendation from faculty members or current job supervisors.

Applications are reviewed using a structured selection process that considers academic preparation, technical potential, and commitment to public service. Top candidates are invited to an in-person interview.

Application Form: Click Here

Application Deadline: [Insert date]

FORCE-AI Program Team

Dr. Faisal Kaleem
Principal Investigator and FORCE-AI Program Lead

Dr. Ibrahim El-Shekeil
Co-Principal Investigator
Recruitment and Career Preparation

Dr. Sayonnha Mandal
Co-Principal Investigator
Curriculum and Academic Progress

Dr. Mousumi Munmun
Co-Principal Investigator
Experiential Learning and Program Operations

Project Manager
Program Operations and Coordination

Questions?

Please direct inquiries about FORCE-AI to: cyberai-sfs@metrostate.edu

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. [AWARD NUMBER]. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.