Center for Secure and Dependable Systems (CSDS)

• Upper division undergraduates are paid a stipend of $27,000 a year.
• Graduate students are paid a stipend of $37,000 a year.
• All tuition and degree related fees are paid.
• $4.46M in training scholarships available.
• If applicable, out-of-state tuition, graduate fees and required course fees are paid.
• Additional support funds are available to help offset student health insurance, professional development and books.
• Each student is assigned to a faculty led research project investigating issues on cutting edge cyber security and cyber defense.
• Each student has dedicated collaborative office space.

B.S. applicant qualifications and requirements

• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
• Have advanced sophomore standing with the ability to graduate within two years.
• Officially accepted into University of Idaho.
• Majoring in at least one of the following: Cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering.
• United States citizen.
• Clean of illegal drug usage (including marijuana) for at least the last six months.
• Agrees to work for a federal executive agency up to three years after graduation.
• Agrees to attend all career fairs required by the program including the annual fair in Washington D.C., on campus and virtually.
• Agrees to submit at least one publication each academic year while in the program.
• Agrees to attend the professional development course each semester.
• Will demonstrate leadership, participate in team activities, prior social service and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or behavior.
• Agrees to participate in summer internship between academic years with a federal executive agency.
• Agrees to participate in assessment activities during and after your scholarship until the end of your government commitment has been satisfied.
• Agrees to seek and obtain a full-time position with a federal executive agency that begins upon graduation.

M.S. or Ph.D. applicants qualifications and requirements

• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Majoring in at least one of the following: Cybersecurity, computer science.
• (MS) Upon acceptance into program will be able to graduate within four semesters.
• United States citizen.
• Clean of illegal drug usage (including marijuana) for at least the last six months.
• Agrees to work for a federal executive agency up to three years after graduation.
• Agrees to attend all career fairs required by the program including the annual fair in Washington D.C., on campus and virtually.
• Agrees to submit at least one publication each academic year while in the program.
• Agrees to attend the professional development course each semester.
• Will demonstrate leadership, participate in team activities, prior social service, and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or behavior.
• Agrees to participate in summer internship between academic years with a federal executive agency.
• Agrees to participate in assessment activities during and after your scholarship until the end of your government commitment has been satisfied.
• Agrees to seek and obtain a full-time position with a federal executive agency that begins upon graduation.

Applicants are accepted into the program on a competitive, space-available basis. The SFS panel reviews applications periodically, starting in January. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.

Applicants who wish to begin the SFS program in fall semester (August): Applications will be accepted until February 1 prior to the fall semester, or until the fellowship positions are filled. Applications requesting a summer semester start will be deferred to fall semester.

1. Pre-qualification form steps
   1. Gather unofficial digital copies of your transcripts of all college work.
   2. Gather contact information of three references: Full name, phone number, and email address for at least two faculty members, the 3rd may be from an employment manager or faculty member. Note that they will be contacted by the SFS program directly to submit a reference letter.
   3. Write a digital letter expressing your interest in the program.
   4. Fill out this online Pre-Qualification Form.
   5. Schedule an appointment with a committee member.
2. Application form steps
   1. After the pre-qualification step, you will be contacted by the committee. If you are accepted, you will be provided the full application with further steps.

Participants are assigned to a faculty-led research project investigating cybersecurity and cyber defense issues.

Research areas include:

• Computer and network forensics
• Cyber defense
• Secure and resilient embedded and industrial control systems
• Secure systems specification, architecture, design and implementation
• Situational awareness and risk-based cybersecurity