CyberCorps Scholarship for Service: Preparing a Diverse Next-Generation Workforce Through Integrated Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Scholar Experience

在网络安全和人工智能（AI）领域，迫切需要致力于为政府服务的技术专家。这些人可以提供知识渊博和面向未来的指导，保护国防和资源，同时促进整个社会的发展。博伊西州立大学（BSU）的CyberCorps®服务奖学金（SFS）项目将帮助满足这一需求，将17名学者培养成准备在公共部门组织服务的网络安全专业人员。BSU的计算机科学系为本科、硕士和博士级别的网络安全和人工智能学生提供最先进的技术指导和持续的实践研究经验。学者们将具备必要的知识和技能，以保护人工智能系统，同时利用人工智能在道德上提高网络安全系统的效率和有效性。该项目与联邦网络安全研究与发展战略计划保持一致，该计划强调人工智能和教育与劳动力发展（EWD）是关键领域。该项目旨在实现以下目标：1)招募对网络安全服务感兴趣的多元化群体；2)在人工智能和网络安全交叉领域培养学者的能力；3)促进参与、确保保留和促进就业。项目团队将系统地采用当代学习科学和绩效改进方法。此外，项目团队将与爱达荷州其他社区和四年制大学以及现有的BSU网络安全项目合作，以吸引和留住学者。该项目将强调提高网络安全中代表性不足的群体成员以及具有不同生活经历的成员的参与度。除了课程、研讨会和指导支持外，学者们还将参加各种活动，包括在北外大学普及网络安全研究所实习和实践培训。该项目由CyberCorps®服务奖学金（SFS）计划支持，该计划为建立或继续网络安全奖学金计划的提案提供资金，并与美国国家网络战略保持一致，以培养优秀的网络安全劳动力。毕业后，奖学金获得者必须在联邦、州、地方或部落政府组织的网络安全部门工作，工作时间与奖学金支持时间相同。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

There is an urgent need for technical experts in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) committed to serving in government roles. These individuals can provide knowledgeable and future-oriented guidance that protects national defense and resources while facilitating growth across society. The CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) project at Boise State University (BSU) will help to meet that need by nurturing a diverse cohort of 17 scholars into cybersecurity professionals ready to serve in public sector organizations. BSU’s Computer Science department provides state-of-the-art technical instruction and continuous hands-on research experiences for Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD level cybersecurity and AI students. Scholars will be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to safeguard AI systems while leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity systems' efficiency and effectiveness ethically. The project is aligned with the Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan, which highlights AI and Education and Workforce Development (EWD) as key areas.This project aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) recruit a diverse cohort interested in serving in cybersecurity, 2) build scholars’ competencies at the Intersection of AI and cybersecurity, and 3) foster engagement, ensure retention, and facilitate employment. The project team will systemically engage contemporary learning science and performance-improving methods. In addition, the project team will partner with other Idaho community and four-year colleges, and existing BSU cybersecurity programs to attract and retain scholars. The project will emphasize improving the participation of members of groups underrepresented in cybersecurity and those with diverse life experiences. In addition to coursework, seminars, and mentoring support, scholars will participate in various activities, including internships and hands-on training in BSU’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity. This project is supported by the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which funds proposals establishing or continuing scholarship programs in cybersecurity and aligns with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce. Following graduation, scholarship recipients are required to work in cybersecurity for a federal, state, local, or tribal Government organization for the same duration as their scholarship support.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.