CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 281414Z NOV 23 MID120000660384U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS 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(AT)US.NAVY.MIL/TEL: 703-695-1858// POC/MICHAEL SAUNDERS/CIV/OPNAV N2N6D/ EMAIL: MICHAEL.J.SAUNDERS1.CIV(AT)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.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//