Rhode Island Congressional Delegation Announces $1.9 Million for URI Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

Providence, RI - In a world of evolving cyber threats and escalating digital challenges - including the increased adoption of AI technologies - there is a growing need to strengthen America's cybersecurity workforce.

Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Gabe Amo (RI-01) announced $1.9 million of federal funding awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to the University of Rhode Island to support scholarships for high-achieving students with limited financial means pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

"This NSF funding will help provide opportunities for URI students who are interested in tackling the pressing cybersecurity challenges of our time," said Whitehouse.

"URI does an outstanding job of preparing the workforce of the future. This federal funding builds on previous federal investments at URI and will help the university attract and educate the next generation of talented, highly-skilled cyber professionals for this critical and fast-growing profession," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who previously worked with Senator Whitehouse to deliver $3.4 million in federal funding for a similar grant program in 2022 through URI's Computer Science and Statistics Department.

"Every student who has the drive and talent to succeed in the cybersecurity field should have the chance to do it, regardless of financial circumstances," said Magaziner, member of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Subcommittee on the House Homeland Security Committee. "This funding for URI will help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals right here in Rhode Island."

"We need a well-trained workforce of cyber experts to protect Americans and our digital infrastructure from emerging threats," said Amo. "This funding will provide talented students with the tools and resources necessary to study cybersecurity at the University of Rhode Island and strengthen our state's cyber workforce."

"NSF's investment reflects what URI does best: pairing rigorous technical training with the mentoring, community, and career support that a demanding program requires," said Brenton DeBoef, Interim Vice President for Research at the University of Rhode Island. "We are grateful to Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Representatives Magaziner and Amo for championing this investment in URI, which will put thirty highly trained cybersecurity professionals to work in Rhode Island."

Thirty scholars pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at URI will receive scholarships covering unmet financial need of up to $20,000 per year for up to five years. In addition to financial support, scholars will receive faculty mentoring, professional identity development, cohort community-building, career exploration opportunities, and an optional bridge program to prepare for AI-related coursework.

The award is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of NSF's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, which supports the retention and graduation of academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need in STEM fields. The project will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to help identify effective strategies for supporting low-income students in STEM.