UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 151802Z JAN 21 MID200000559385U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 010/21 MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N2N6/JAN// SUBJ/2021-2022 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CYBER SCHOLARSHIP RETENTION PROGRAM SOLICITATION// REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/07JAN15// AMPN/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1520.23C GRADUATE EDUCATION. RMKS/1. This message announces the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship Retention Program (CySP) for Academic Year 2021/2022 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 associates, masters, or doctoral degree programs, (resident, 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). Active Duty and FTS enlisted personnel are eligible for the associates, 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 forensics, computer programming, computer science, information science, information systems, system analysis, cyber defense, cyber operations, cyber security, cyber policy, cryptography, database administration, data management, data science, electrical engineering, information assurance, information technology acquisition, network administration and operations, software engineering, web security, 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 Information Warfare Outreach page on MilSuite at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-570743 (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 (AFIT) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Open to DoD civilians only. (2) Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) Partner Program: Utilizing pre -established National Security Agency (NSA) agreements, graduates of the JCAC program may transfer credits into an approved undergraduate or graduate programs. A list of institutions can be found at the MilSuite link identified above. Open to officers and enlisted only (part-time and DL only). b. Community College Program: Community colleges designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education have been invited to participate in an associates 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 the MilSuite link identified above. Not all schools listed will ultimately elect to participate in this program. Therefore, it is important that each applicant list up to three schools. Open to DoD civilians (full- time, part -time, and DL options available) and enlisted (part-time and DL only). 6. Program Costs. The program will cover the cost of tuition, required fees, and required books. Civilian students will continue to receive their salaries from their parent commands throughout their course of study. Parent commands of civilian students are also responsible for all travel costs, any Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) 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 (FERPA) 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. Applicant nomination checklist is posted at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-570743. 9. Points of Contact. Civilian and military personnel are to submit their application packages via their chain of command via encrypted e-mail by 26 February 2021. All civilian applications must be sent to the civilian point of contact listed below and all Active Duty and FTS military applications must be sent to the military point of contact listed below. a. Civilian POC: Mrs. Dawn Cotterell, dawn.cotterell(at)navy.mil, 703- 695-1858. b. Military POC: Mr. Mike Saunders, michael.saunders(at)navy.mil, 703- 604-6292. 10. Released by VADM Jeffrey E. Trussler, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, OPNAV N2N6.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//