The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Michigan Technological University $1.9 million to educate and mentor the next generation of national cybersecurity and artificial intelligence professionals.
The funding, through NSF's CyberAI Corps Scholarship for Service program, known as CyberAI SFS, will provide two years of full-ride scholarship support to 11 eligible students majoring in Michigan Tech College of Computing degree programs. It's designed to enable more students to graduate with master's-degree-level proficiency in their studies and put their skills and knowledge to work for government organizations.
Michigan Tech's CyberAI SFS funding began Aug. 1 and runs through July 31, 2029. Yu Cai, professor of applied computing and associate dean of the College of Computing, is the project's principal investigator. Cai said student recruitment will begin during the University's fall 2026 semester.
"I am thrilled about the opportunities this grant will create for our students and Michigan Tech. It builds on Michigan Tech's existing strengths in cybersecurity, AI and computing while preparing students to address emerging technological challenges," Cai said. "The program will develop not only their technical knowledge and skills, but also their ethical judgment, commitment to service, and dedication to the public good."
Qualified applicants who are selected will receive up to two years of full-ride scholarship support, along with mentorship, research opportunities, potential internships and other career preparation. In return, they'll be obligated to serve government internships and post-graduate employment in cybersecurity, AI or related fields for a period equal to the duration of their scholarships.
Joining Cai on the project's faculty research team are Professor Jean Mayo and Associate Professor Bo Chen, both in the Department of Computer Science; Senior Lecturer Todd Arney in the Department of Applied Computing; Chris Hohnholt, instructor and curriculum development specialist in Pavlis Honors College; and Yinyin Tan, program development specialist in Michigan Tech's Frontiers Research Institute.
Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing, said the funding opens the door to new career development opportunities for students and also illustrates how Michigan Tech is responding to both the challenges and expanded possibilities in the computing field that have been presented by the advent of AI.
"Since 1885, Michigan Tech has been at the forefront of embracing emerging technologies. This project, at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI and data-driven systems, acknowledges our development of strong programs in all three focus areas," Livesay said.
Michigan Tech's broad academic portfolio across the AI, cybersecurity and data science fields includes bachelor's degree programs in artificial intelligence, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, information technology and software engineering, along with master's degree programs in computer science, cybersecurity and data science. Students currently enrolled in those bachelor's degree programs are eligible to apply in their junior year of studies, along with students currently in their senior year who are planning to pursue a two-year master's degree in lieu of a one-year accelerated master's degree.
The University's excellence in cybersecurity-related education and research has already been recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), which designated it as a National Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Cyber Research (CAE-R). Michigan Tech was the first institution in Michigan to hold both designations. The University has held the CAE-CD designation since 2023 and received CAE-R designation in 2024.
For two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024, Michigan Tech was among 10 CAE-CD institutions in the country to receive CAE-CD Outreach Awards, highlighting Tech's exceptional community outreach efforts to encourage and promote cybersecurity awareness and online safety practices.
Michigan Tech's CAE-CD designation lasts through the 2027-28 academic year, promoting and supporting quality academic programs of higher learning designed to grow the nation's cyber workforce and help to ensure the country is better prepared to defend against cyber threats and attacks. The CAE-R designation recognizes Tech as meeting rigorous research requirements as set forth by the NSA and extends through the 2029-30 academic year.
Michigan Tech Vice President for Research Andrew Barnard said the new NSF grant further recognizes the University's world-class research faculty and their expertise in the field.
"This award acknowledges Michigan Tech's strong foundation of student-involved research and provides another impactful avenue for Michigan Tech's excellent students to deliver hands-on, high-impact outcomes for tomorrow's emerging challenges," said Barnard. "Michigan Tech researchers continue to show that they are among the best in the country through winning highly competitive awards like this."
The CyberAI SFS program is designed to answer the national shortage of professionals needed to support cybersecurity and AI missions in federal, state, local and tribal government organizations.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who has initiated and supported numerous measures related to the upgrade of U.S. cybersecurity, heralded the funding for Michigan Tech as another critical step to addressing the nation's serious national security challenges.
"Artificial intelligence is becoming a larger part of everyday life, and it's essential that our young professionals play a role in shaping how this technology can help us remain economically competitive while ensuring it's used ethically for the benefit of all Americans," said Peters. "That's why I passed my AI Scholarship for Service Act into law, which incentivizes our students to help us tackle these emerging challenges by serving in the public sector upon graduation. Michigan Technological University provides cutting-edge training to the next generation of AI leaders, and I'm thrilled that they are among the first universities to receive funding for this new program."
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan's First Congressional District, who has worked to raise awareness and mitigate the threat that cyber attacks pose to national security, intellectual properties and individuals, said he wasn't surprised that Michigan Tech was chosen to join the national effort. He said the funding ensures that the University's expertise and experience in cybersecurity and AI research and education will continue to play a crucial role in defending and protecting the country now and in the future.
“Michigan Tech has a strong tradition of preparing students with the skills our nation needs to compete and keep Americans safe, and this $1.93 million investment will help strengthen our cybersecurity workforce right here in Michigan’s First Congressional District,” said Bergman. “As cyber threats continue to grow, we must make sure we have highly trained American workers ready to protect our critical infrastructure, government systems, businesses, and families. This investment is a win for Michigan and our national security, and I’m proud to see Michigan Tech leading the way.”
U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin's background as a CIA analyst and Department of Defense official has helped to inform her prioritization of cybersecurity as vital to national and economic security. Her work has included measures related to food and farm security as well as protecting school systems against cyberattacks. Slotkin sees workforce training like the NSF initiative that will take place at Michigan Tech as a key contributor to sustaining and strengthening national security at a time when the threat of cyber warfare is only growing.
"We face more and more sophisticated cyberattacks nearly every minute of every day, and this investment in scholarships and training will help recruit talented people ready to step up and protect our country," Slotkin said. "Michigan Tech is a perfect place for this investment, which will help train the next generation to serve and protect our communities."
The CyberAI SFS program is an enhancement to Tech's current CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, which will be phased out over the next three semesters. Learn more about the CyberAI SFS program at Michigan Tech. Application questions can be directed to sfs@mtu.edu.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computing, forestry, business, health professions, robotics, psychology, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
