H08 Application Instructions 20250115.pdf

INSTRUCTIONS BY APPLICANT TYPE

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHOOLS CAPACITY BUILDING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Announcing and Promoting the Program:

NCAE-Cs wishing to submit a proposal will be expected to take the following actions, at a minimum, to promote student interest in the

DoD CSA opportunity.

Narratives for the scholarship and capacity building portions should be severable from each other.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2200b, NCAE-

Cs may request modest support for building the institution’s capacity for cybersecurity research and education in cyber-related disciplines in addition to the scholarship proposals.

The DoD has determined focus areas for this opportunity. Proposals submitted should reflect student engagement: opportunities for the

NCAE-C students to participate and gain additional understanding of cyber and cybersecurity as they relate to the extended community and DoD.

Two main focus areas are DoD Partnerships and Outreach to Technical Colleges, Community Colleges, and/or Minority Serving

Institutions. Details for all activities will be described in ANNEX II.

The DoD CSA is also seeking institutions to host the annual recruitment scholar boot camp.

NCAE-C requests for capacity building support should be part of the overall institutional submission, but identified in the “how” section of the submission.

Narratives for the scholarship and capacity building portions should be severable from each other.

Application Forms and Materials: Applicants will complete all questions within the new

DoD CSA online application tool https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/. Please read all questions and answer to the best of your ability. The application itself consists of a resume and additional OF612 Supplemental items. Students must meet the eligibility requirements enumerated at 10 U.S.C. 2200b.

First-Time Applicants or New Students will submit their application through the online application portal. They will answer several questions within the online application tool to determine eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, the student will submit their application to the NCAE-C through the DoD

CSA online application tool. NCAE-Cs will perform their review and provide the written recommendation within the same online application tool. Each DoD

Component/Agency will have access to the tool to review applications based on the rules and policies that govern their agency.

Determine, communicate and publish to the relevant student populations web links, due dates, and Applicant Quick Start guide pertaining to the DoD CSA application cycle.

The NCAE-C’s current academic programs and proposed enhancements provide significant benefits to potential Cyber Scholarship students and support DoD mission needs.

Returning DoD CSA Scholars will log-in to their original account and upload the required documents.

https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

The NCAE-C should identify key activities

(e.g., programs, forums or partnerships with

DoD, other government agencies, academia, or private industry) that enhance its cybersecurity academic credentials and contribute to faculty, staff, and student awareness and experiences in current cybersecurity trends.

Requested research funding should align with

DoD areas of interest and provide meaningful learning opportunities for both faculty and

CySP students.

Lab activities and curricula enhancements should provide students with critical cyber skills and knowledge.

Diversity of student population and potential scholarship applicants should be supported through student demographics and partnerships with historically under-represented colleges and universities.

Manage the Application Review and Candidate

Assessment Process: NCAE-Cs electing to propose establishment of a recruitment/basic scholarship program are required to verify each applicant’s eligibility for scholarship and academic sufficiency, to evaluate each eligible candidate’s knowledge and ability in certain competency areas important to successful cyber work, and to provide a relative endorsement level for each eligible candidate.

NCAE-Cs may determine the procedures to be followed in conducting the evaluation, including records verification, individual interviews, faculty review panels, as long as all applicants are afforded full and equal opportunity for consideration in appropriate review phases. All recommendation and KSA

Cost supporting ANNEX II should be identified separately from scholarship costs and should detail salaries, materials, equipment, and related direct and indirect costs for supporting the initiative(s) proposed. NCAE-

Cs are advised that the request shall be limited to $300,000.00 or less in total ($150,000.00 per project). Only one proposal per focus area may be submitted.

The tool does not have a traditional “submit” button. As long as the NCAE-C has provided a ranking and recommendation statement by 28

February 2025, the student applicant will be considered for a scholarship.

reviews will be done in the online DoD CSA

Application tool.

The NCAE-C will use the DoD CSA online application tool

(https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/) to endorse all applying students.

The endorsement for each applicant must include their administrative and academic sufficiency requirements that is based on the overall evaluation of all applicant materials, including the competency evaluations described above. In addition to a brief statement about each student, NCAE-Cs shall indicate only one of the following three levels of endorsement for each applicant:

1. Not Recommended

2. Recommended

3. Highly Recommended

Students will be required to formally accept or decline the scholarship within 15 days of notification. Non-acceptance by this date will mean the scholarship will be offered to the next available student.

Submitting Student Scholarship Applications and NCAE-C Review and Endorsement:

NCAE-Cs that propose to support the recruitment/basic scholarship program are required to review all applications in response to the announcement and to evaluate the applicants as described in detail above. NCAE-

Cs are required to provide an assessment of each recruitment applicant which will be used by the DoD Component/Agency representatives reviewing student application.

Students will be required to complete a security investigation questionnaire to initiate the process for a background investigation in preparation for their internships, if applicable, and as a condition of future employment with the DoD. Drug tests or other suitability processing will occur as appropriate.

Applications must be reviewed 28 February

2025 through the DoD CSA Online Application

Tool: https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

Students will be required to sign an agreement stating that they will accept assignments requiring travel or change of duty stations as interns or employees.

https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/ https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

The tool does not have a traditional “submit” button. As long as the NCAE-C has provided a ranking and recommendation statement by 28

February 2025, the student applicant will be considered for a scholarship.

New Applicants: An acceptable application package for the DoD CSA consists of the following requirements:

• New Recruitment applicants must use the new DoD CSA online application tool.

https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

• Applications missing any required documents will automatically be disqualified

• Applicants who are currently receiving funds from another scholarship program or who have a service obligation upon graduation are not eligible to apply for the

DoD CSA.

• Anticipated Final Graduation Date is for the degree program you are applying for scholarship support. Any applications that indicates a graduation date of January through September of the current year will not be eligible.

• Transcripts: Applicants may submit either official or unofficial transcripts. Transcripts should not be mailed directly to the DoD

CSA Program Office.

• Applicants should not attach copies/pictures of social security cards, driver’s license, passports, military identification, credit cards, degrees, certificates, and any other type of personally identifiable information.

• Letters of Recommendation o One letter will be uploaded by the student;

• Traditional resumes will not be submitted.

The DoD CSA application tool will prompt applicants to fill in the required resume information. Applicants will be asked to provide the following:

o Education: include degrees, institutions, location, date of graduation (or expected date of graduation);

major/minor fields; GPA o Experience: jobs, internships, and/or volunteer work. Include name of company, position, and dates employed.

List at least three important tasks, accomplishments, or skills gained at each job. Also identify any clearance level held. It is important that you identify the number of hours per week you worked.

o Skills: include computer systems;

programs which you are proficient.

Include foreign languages. List any other skills, certifications, clearance levels you may hold.

Paper applications for new scholarship will not be accepted.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application through the new application tool by 11:59 PM Eastern on 01

February 2025. Applicants will not have access to the application on 02 February 2025.

Registration in the ARC and SAM prior to submission. The NCAE-C designated POC or the identified DoD CSA On-Campus POC (as listed in the CAE Tool nsa-ncae.com/login or the AVUE Whitelist) is included in the submission.

Returning DoD CSA Scholars: An acceptable application package for the DoD CSA consists of the following: (applications due 01 February

2025)

• Log-in to the same account used last year to apply. Contac the AVUE Help Desk for any password or login credential issues.

• Validate contact information and graduation date

• Current Transcripts

• 1 Letter of Reference

NCAE-Cs must be willing to advertise and manage a competition for scholarship applicants; conduct an evaluation of applicants’ qualifications and abilities; and submit all the applications received to the DoD, along with the NCAE-C’s assessment and recommendation of each proposed scholar’s capabilities and potential. NCAE-Cs will have four weeks to review all student applications

(2-28 February 2025) and are reminded to submit all required documentation by the due date 28 February 2025.

New and returning Recruitment Applications will have until 01 February 2025 to submit their application through the DoD CSA online tool. https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

The NCAE-Cs will provide a technical approach that communicates the ability of the institution to meet the conditions imposed by

DoD for a CIC/NDU partnership or community college program.

NCAE-Cs are required complete all new recruitment applicant reviews in the online tool by 28 February 2025. Early review and submission of the applications is acceptable.