1. Introduction 

The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) was designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense in Research (CAE-R) in June, 2015. In July 2016, we were awarded a sub-grant via the SFS program at The University of Alabama in Huntsville from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which provides 3 full scholarships for two graduate students and one undergraduate student to study cyber security. In Dec. 2016, we are awarded a 5-year SFS grant from 2017 to 2024, which will support about 6 SFS scholars per year. We will renewal this program form 2025 50 2029 soon.

Each student on a scholarship must be enrolled full time at UHM to receive the NSF support. A scholarship provides 

(1) a stipend of $27,000 per academic year for an undergraduate student  or $37,000 per academic year for a graduate student; 

(2) other expenses normally incurred by full-time students at UHM, including tuition and education related fees (does not include items such as meal plans, housing, or parking); 

(3) a reimbursement allowance for health insurance up to $3,000 per year for using UH health insurance. (It may not be used for health insurance under parents or private insurance); 

(4) a professional development allowance of up to $4,000 per year, including the annual SFS Job Fair at DC and other training or professional development travels related to cybersecurity studies;

(5) a book allowance up to $2,000 per academic year.

A service obligation to the US Government (federal, state, city, or tribe) is required following graduation: One year of service in a cyber-security related government position is required for each scholarship year received. Also, a student on scholarship is expected to serve as a paid internship in a government cybersecurity related position during the first summer semester. A student is required to participate in a government “job fair” in early January in Washington DC. 

Each scholarship is awarded for up to three years, depending on the time for a student to complete her/his study at UHM. Our NSF SFS grant will allows us support 6 undergraduate or graduate students.