Key Takeaways
- The University of Rhode Island’s Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Center secured two NSF grants totaling $4.8 million.
- A $2.89 million CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service award funds full scholarships, stipends, and government summer internships for graduate students who pledge to work in AI‑focused cybersecurity roles after graduation.
- A $1.99 million S‑STEM “Pathways To A Cybersecurity/AI Career” grant provides last‑dollar scholarships and mentoring to 30 low‑income, academically talented students pursuing URI’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity.
- Both awards support URI’s new Securing Artificial Intelligence track, one of the nation’s first programs that trains cybersecurity professionals to defend AI systems and leverage AI for defensive purposes.
- URI’s cybersecurity programs are recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by NSA/DHS and host Rhode Island’s only NSF‑funded CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program.
- The funding expands access for Rhode Island students, especially those from under‑represented or financially disadvantaged backgrounds, to advanced cybersecurity‑AI education and federal career pathways.
Overview of the Awards
On August 26, 2026, the University of Rhode Island announced that its Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Center (DFCC) had received two major National Science Foundation awards amounting to $4.8 million. The funding is earmarked to bolster scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in URI’s Professional Science Master’s in Cybersecurity program, particularly those opting for the newly launched Securing Artificial Intelligence track. The grants underscore URI’s growing reputation as a leader in cybersecurity education and its commitment to aligning academic training with national workforce needs.
Details of the CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service Grant
The first award is a three‑year, $2,891,678 CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service grant. It provides full tuition coverage, stipends, and a government‑summer internship to two cohorts of graduate students who agree to pursue careers protecting AI and cybersecurity systems for federal, state, or local agencies after graduation. Building on URI’s existing CyberCorps SFS program—which has placed 93 % of its graduates in government cybersecurity positions since 2021—the new award adds a specialized focus on AI security. Recipients also must complete a two‑semester faculty‑mentored research project, a four‑semester professional development seminar covering federal careers, competitions, and AI policy, K‑12 outreach activities, and a coordinated internship through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Details of the S‑STEM Pathways Grant
The second award is a $1,993,716 S‑STEM grant titled Pathways To A Cybersecurity/AI Career. Over five years, this funding will deliver last‑dollar scholarships and structured mentoring to 30 academically talented, low‑income students enrolled in URI’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity program. By closing the financial gap that often prevents qualified candidates from pursuing graduate study, the grant aims to diversify the cybersecurity workforce and ensure that talented individuals from varied socioeconomic backgrounds can access advanced training. The mentorship component includes academic advising, career coaching, and connections to industry and government partners.
Integration with the Securing AI Track
Both grants directly support students in URI’s Securing Artificial Intelligence track, a pioneering concentration that equips cybersecurity professionals to defend AI‑enabled systems against adversarial attacks and to harness AI tools for enhanced threat detection and response. The track leverages URI’s 15‑year designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the NSA and DHS, a credential that signals the program’s rigor and relevance. Coursework covers topics such as adversarial machine learning, secure AI model development, AI‑driven anomaly detection, and policy considerations surrounding AI use in national security.
Leadership and Collaborative Efforts
Victor Fay‑Wolfe, professor of computer science and director of the Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Center, serves as the principal investigator for both awards. He emphasized that the funding enables URI to train cyber professionals who not only understand how to secure AI systems but also know how to employ AI as a defensive asset—capabilities that remain rare among U.S. academic programs. Co‑principal investigators include Kaleel Mahmood, assistant professor of computer science whose research focuses on adversarial machine learning and AI security, for the CyberAICorps award; and Michael Conti, associate computer science teaching professor, for the S‑STEM grant. Their combined expertise ensures that the scholarship programs are grounded in cutting‑edge research and practical workforce preparation.
Impact on Rhode Island Students and the Cybersecurity Workforce
The awards are poised to significantly broaden access to high‑level cybersecurity‑AI education for Rhode Island residents. By offering full scholarships, stipends, and paid internships, the CyberAICorps grant removes financial barriers for students willing to commit to public‑sector service. Simultaneously, the S‑STEM pathway targets low‑income learners, providing the mentorship and financial support necessary to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. Together, these initiatives aim to increase the diversity and readiness of the nation’s cybersecurity workforce, particularly in the emerging niche of AI security—a domain where threats are evolving rapidly and defensive expertise is in high demand.
Future Prospects and Program Access
URI’s Securing AI track is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, featuring an accelerated bachelor’s‑to‑master’s pathway and an OnRamp bridge program designed for individuals coming from non‑technical backgrounds. Prospective applicants can explore program details, admission requirements, and scholarship opportunities on the URI Department of Computer Science and Statistics website. As the university continues to build on its NSA/DHS recognition and expand its federal‑funded scholarship offerings, it positions itself as a pivotal hub for cultivating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals equipped to safeguard AI‑infused critical infrastructure.