National Information Assurance Training and Education Center
ISU NIATEC is a transformative, interdisciplinary cybersecurity leadership development experience that prepares students for careers in the federal government.
Since 2003, more than 100 NIATEC graduates have accepted positions in federal organizations, including the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Critical Infrastructure and Security agency (CISA), and the Federal Reserve system, among others.
Selected students (Scholars) receive a full tuition scholarship and up to $37,000 annual stipend for two years, in exchange for which recipients agree to work for the U.S. Government for two years after graduation.
Because solving cybersecurity challenges requires diverse perspectives, the NIATEC experience is open for students with any undergraduate degree. NIATEC Scholars have had backgrounds in photography, music, mathematics, anthropology, business, and computer science.
While in the program Scholars pursue a full-time degree and spend up to 20 hours a week on cybersecurity projects and research.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States,
- Maintain full time, good standing, student status
- Meet criteria for Federal employment and be able to obtain a security clearance, if required
- Attend federal job fairs
- Serve a summer internship at a governmental organization
- Agree to repay the scholarship for failure to provide required full time federal service