Cyberai SFS: building an AI-empowered cybersecurity workforce through integrated BS/MS pathways

The National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education awarded the University of New Haven $2,011,464 on August 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to develop an AI-empowered cybersecurity workforce through integrated undergraduate and graduate pathways.

The University of New Haven will expand its existing Scholarship for Service program to prepare scholars who integrate cybersecurity and artificial intelligence knowledge, apply research and problem-solving skills in multidisciplinary environments, and communicate technical concepts effectively. The program emphasizes cyber-AI integration, applied research, technical depth in cyber operations and machine learning, entrepreneurial mindset development through cybersecurity competitions, and technical communication embedded throughout the curriculum. Work is performed in West Haven, Connecticut, through July 31, 2029.

The program leverages long-standing partnerships with federal executive agencies, national laboratories, and Connecticut's administrative and judicial branches to provide scholars with internship and employment pathways into the federal cyber workforce. Outreach encompasses regional high schools, GenCyber camps, tech talent accelerator initiatives, and NSA-funded workforce development projects to expand participation across diverse backgrounds.

Abstract

The university of new haven proposes a cyberai SFS program designed to prepare highly skilled professionals for critical roles across the nation?s governmental cyber workforce. Anchored in the university?s established SFS program and its vertically integrated cybersecurity B.S./M.S. Pathways with AI integration, IT will expand the institution?s capacity to develop AI empowered cyber talent. The program aims to develop scholars who are (1) technically strong and capable of integrating cybersecurity and AI knowledge, (2) equipped with applied research and problem solving skills, (3) effective collaborators in multidisciplinary environments, and (4) highly proficient technical communicators prepared to contribute meaningfully to the national cybersecurity workforce. The program strength lies in the cyber-AI integration, applied research, technical depth in cyber operations and AI/ML, development of entrepreneurial and applied research mindset of students, development of a healthy competitive spirit through cyber competitions and a competency-focused curriculum rooted in engineering and computer science, and emphasis on integrating technical communication skills throughout the entire curriculum. This project will contribute directly to strengthening the national cybersecurity workforce by preparing highly skilled professionals for government service. The program leverages long standing partnerships with federal executive agencies, national labs, and connecticut?s administrative and judicial branches, ensuring scholars have access to internship and employment pathways. The program provides participation opportunity to all americans through established outreach with regional high schools, gencyber camps, tech talent accelerator initiatives, and NSA funded workforce development projects. The university actively engages students from different backgrounds and expands access to cybersecurity and AI education. The university has strong relationships with cisa, NSA, FBI, and state agencies. This project is supported by the cyberaicorps scholarship for service (cyberai SFS) program which funds proposals to increase national capacity to educate and train professionals in artificial intelligence (AI) or cybersecurity, and to support their placement and retention in the cyberai mission of government organizations. The scholarship track funds academic institutions to award scholarships to students in exchange for their government service. The innovation track seeks transformative education proposals in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, or the integration of AI and cybersecurity. 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.