The University of West Florida's Center for Cybersecurity and AI has received a $1.74 million award from the National Science Foundation to train students at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The grant, awarded through NSF's new CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program, places UWF among 14 institutions selected nationally for the inaugural funding round.
Scholarships and career pathways for 16 students
Dubbed "UWF CyberAI SFS FORCE: Future Operations, Resilience, and Career Ecosystem," the program will fund full scholarships, stipends and professional development for 16 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students studying cybersecurity, computer science, intelligent systems and robotics.
"This award will allow us to prepare the next generation of professionals who can defend critical systems while responsibly applying AI to strengthen our nation's cybersecurity," said Hossain Shahriar, CCAI director of educational programs, professor and principal investigator for the project. "The program will recruit and support 16 CyberAI scholars from undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, offering hands-on training through the Florida Cyber Range, research experiences, internships and competitions."
The program also aims to create clearer pathways into government service, preparing graduates to protect federal systems and critical infrastructure that increasingly depend on AI-enabled tools. For educators, this model shows how AI for Education programs can connect academic training directly to public-sector workforce needs.
Building on national leadership in cyber and AI
UWF is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and among the first institutions with an approved NCAE Cyber Artificial Intelligence Program of Study. The Center for Cybersecurity and AI leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program and was named 2025 Academia Innovator of the Year by the EC-Council.
"Being one of only 14 institutions selected for this inaugural award is a significant recognition of the strength of UWF's programs in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity," said UWF Provost Dr. Jaromy Kuhl. "This award will create new opportunities for students while strengthening recruitment, retention and career placement."
Students will gain practical experience through faculty-mentored research, hands-on labs, internships and competitions that connect classroom learning to real-world challenges. The AI Learning Path for Cybersecurity Analysts covers similar ground for professionals seeking structured training in this area.
Why this matters for educators
This NSF award provides a concrete model for how universities can build programs that bridge AI and cybersecurity education with government workforce demands. For faculty and administrators designing curricula, the CyberAI SFS FORCE program demonstrates a funding path that combines scholarships, hands-on training through state cyber ranges, and direct placement into federal service. It also signals that NSF views the AI-cybersecurity intersection as a priority area for investment, which may influence grant-making and partnership opportunities at other institutions.
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