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NAVADMIN 286/23
MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N2N6/NOV//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CYBER SCHOLARSHIP RETENTION
PROGRAM SOLICITATION//
REF/A/INST/OPNAV/17 JAN 20//
AMPN/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1520.23C CH-3, GRADUATE EDUCATION//
POC/DAWN COTTERELL/CIV/OPNAV N2N6D/EMAIL:
dawn.d.cotterell.civ@us.navy.mil/TEL: 703-695-1858//
POC/MICHAEL SAUNDERS/CIV/OPNAV N2N6D/ EMAIL:
michael.j.saunders1.civ@us.navy.mil/TEL: 703-693-4160//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber
Scholarship Retention Program (CySP) for Academic Year 2024-2025
nomination requirements and provides details for the Navy application
process. The DoD CySP provides professional development opportunities to
current employees who support DoD critical cyber functions in exchange for
continued service within the Department.
2. The Navy encourages personnel to take advantage of the degree completion
opportunities provided through the DoD CySP. During a time of limited
training resources, this program provides a viable means to fund advanced
education for personnel who are either in a cybersecurity related position or
are preparing for an assignment requiring advanced knowledge in the broad
disciplines defined in paragraph 4.
3. Navy Eligibility Requirements. Permanent DoD civilian employees may
apply for the masters program, doctoral degree program, or associates degree
program (nonresident, part-time, or Distance Learning (DL) programs
available) (see limitations paragraph 4). Active Duty and Full Time Support
(FTS) military officers are eligible for either the bachelors, masters or
doctoral programs (nonresident, part-time, or DL programs only). Nominated
personnel should be high performing employees who have demonstrated the
potential for increased responsibilities. Nominations should fulfill
specific personnel development requirements for both the individual nominee
and the nominating organization.
4. Academic Disciplines. For participation in the CySP, qualified employees
must pursue degrees in academic disciplines that have a concentration in
cybersecurity. Such disciplines include, but are not limited to:
biometrics, computer crime investigations, computer engineering, computer
programming, computer science, computer systems analysis, cyber operations,
cybersecurity, cybersecurity policy, database administration, data
management, data science, digital and multimedia forensics, electrical
engineering, electronics engineering, information security (assurance),
information systems, information technology (IT) acquisition, IT program and
project management, network management and operations, software engineering,
systems engineering, and other similar disciplines as approved by the DoD
Chief Information Officer (CIO).
5. Participating Institutions. The below is a brief description of
the available programs but more information can be accessed via the
Navy Cyberspace Workforce at
https://flankspeed.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USFF-NAVIFOR/N6/N61/CSWF
and DoD CySP Application Tool
https://www.dodemergingtech.com/cyber-scholarship-program-cysp/
(Common Access Card e-mail certificate login required).
a. Graduate and Bachelor Programs:
(1) DoD institutions offering full-time academic programs leading to
a masters or doctoral degree are the Air Force Institute of Technology Open
to DoD civilians and military only.
(2) Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) Partner Program:
Utilizing pre-established National Security Agency agreements, graduates of
the JCAC program may transfer credits into an approved undergraduate or
graduate programs. Open to Active-Duty officers and enlisted only.
(3) Other Programs offering Cyber Leadership Development Programs and
Chief Information Officer Leadership Development Program from National
Defense University and Partner University Programs Leadership Development
Programs (Partner Programs) (Full-time/in-residence)
b. Community College Program: Community colleges designated as Centers
of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education have been invited to
participate in an associate degree program which offers full or part-time
attendance options. Individuals wishing to participate in the CySP Community
College Program should review the potential list of institutions, which can
be found at https://www.dodemergingtech.com/cyber-scholarship-program-cysp/.
Not all schools listed will ultimately elect to participate in this
program. Therefore, it is important that each applicant lists up to three
schools. Open to DoD civilians (full-time, part-time, and DL options
available) and military (full-time, part-time, in-residence and DL only).
6. Program Costs. The cost of tuition, required fees, and required books
(any recommended books or materials are not covered) will be covered by the
program. Civilian and military students will continue to receive their
salaries from their parent commands throughout their course of study. Parent
commands of civilian and military students are also responsible for all
travel costs, Permanent Change of Station any Temporary Additional Duty
costs, and any necessary position back-fill for individuals selected for the
program. Prospective applicants should meet with their parent commands to
discuss all potential program costs. This meeting should provide a full
understanding of what is expected during their education experience and upon
completion of their academic degree.
7. Obligations. Participants must maintain good standing in their degree
programs and upon completion, continue in service as civilian employees or
military members or repay the costs of the program. Pursuant to reference
(a), military members shall serve on Active Duty in accordance with
fulfilling designated service obligations of the Navy. DoD civilian
employees shall sign a continued service agreement with their parent
organization or component that complies with 10 U.S.C. 2200, prior to
commencement of their education, to continue service within the DoD upon
conclusion of their education, for a period equal to three times the length
of the education period. If selected, students must sign a Student Code of
Conduct Agreement, a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act waiver
required for release of transcripts, and other additional agreement forms as
required. Employees currently performing a period of obligated service will
not be considered for the DoD CySP as the program does not allow for
concurrent service obligations.
8. Nomination Package Requirements. The candidate nomination information is
available at https://www.dodemergingtech.com/cyber-scholarship-program-
cysp/. Applicants can apply using the DoD CySP Retention Application from
October 16, 2023, to February 1, 2024, at:
https://www.dodemergingtech.com/cyber-scholarship-program-cysp/.
Application procedure timeline:
a. Component Nomination Review: March 2024.
b. Review by the DOD CySP Program Office: April 2024.
c. Notification of Status: May 1, 2024.
d. Program Commencement: Academic Year 2024-2025.
9. Released by Ms. Jennifer Edgin, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations for Information Warfare, OPNAV N2N6.//
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