The federal government is offering two types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students seeking employment as computer security and information assurance specialists within the federal government.

The scholarships are being offered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) (Information Assurance Scholarship Program) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (CyberCorps-Federal Cyber Service Program).

Students who are at the senior level in such academic disciplines as mathematics, biometrics, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, computer programming, computer support, database administration, computer systems analysis, operations research, information security (assurance) and business management or administration with specialization in information assurance may apply.

Both scholarships pay the full cost of tuition, fees, books, lab expenses, supplies and equipment. The DoD scholarship carries an additional stipend of $22,000 for graduate students; the NSF scholarship carries a stipend of $25,000 for graduate students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

UB students have been very successful in obtaining these scholarships, notes Shambhu J. Upadhyaya, professor of computer science and engineering, and director of the Center of Excellence in Information Systems Assurance Research and Education (CEISARE). In the past 10 years, eight students have gone through the DoD program, while eight students have graduated through the NSF program. Currently, there is one student in the DoD program and nine in the NSF program.

The deadline for applications for both scholarships is Feb. 8. Awards will be announced in May 2013.

Information on the application process for both scholarships can be found on the CEISARE website.