Bachelor and Master's Degree Students, Explore Opportunities and Careers in Education!

Application Deadline Extended : February 6, 2026

The NCyTE Community College Cybersecurity Fellowship Program will introduce students for a career path of teaching cybersecurity in a community college setting.  Program participants are accepted through a competitive application process each year. 

The program consists of the following:

NCyTE Cybersecurity Fellowship Orientation (4 hours): All accepted candidates must attend one of the virtual orientations. Kickstart your journey with a comprehensive virtual orientation designed to introduce you to the dynamic field of cybersecurity education. Discover the significant impact you can have on the nation's workforce through community college teaching. This orientation will also outline expectations, schedule and commitment, and details of the program.

Microsoft 21st Century Skills: Classroom Management, Methods, and Pedagogy Workshop (16 hours): After completing the orientation, all participants will be required to complete a 16-hour virtual workshop designed to prepare participants with basic knowledge and skills to be an effective community college cybersecurity educator. Participants will acquire insights into teaching and learning pedagogy, classroom management skills, student assessment, curriculum development, and the cultivation of student workforce competencies. The workshop will prepare students to take the required Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification.

Fellowship Bootcamp (32 hours): Participants of the Fellowship Program are expected to complete a 32-hour Fellowship Bootcamp. The bootcamp includes at least 8 hours of in-person instruction at Moraine Valley Community College (mandatory) and up to 24 hours of virtual instruction. 

Participants will learn to:

• Integrate evidence-based teaching strategies
• Create engaging, workforce-aligned instruction
• Produce draft lesson plans, labs, and assessments

Teaching Assignment: Upon successful completion of above program, participants will be placed for a teaching assignment, where they will contribute a minimum of 60 hours of service, lead at least one lesson, and provide the required deliverables per a student teaching agreement. Collaborating with their host college faculty mentor, participants will co-create a schedule and course materials that align with their strengths and goals.

2026 SCHEDULE

Orientation workshops (4 hours, attend one of the following sessions) - virtual:

• Friday, March 6, 2026 – 9AM-1PM PST
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – 2-6PM PST

Microsoft 21^st Century Skills workshop (16 hours, all dates required) - virtual:

• April 17 & 18, 2026 (Friday & Saturday) – 9AM-1PM PDT
• April 24 & 25, 2026 (Friday & Saturday) – 9AM-1PM PDT

Fellowship Bootcamp (32 hours, all dates required) - virtual & in-person

Virtual Workshops 

• Friday, May 15, 2026 – 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual)
• Friday, May 22, 2026 – 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual)
• Friday, May 29, 2026 – 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual)
• Friday, June 5, 2026 – 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual)
• Friday, June 12 ,2026 – 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual)
• Friday, July 10, 2026– 9AM-1PM PDT (Virtual) 

 In-Person at Moraine Valley Community College (Chicago area) - must be able to attend in-person!

• Friday, June 26, 2026 – 8:30AM – 4:30PM CDT (In-Person)

Teaching assignment at a local community college (up to 60 hours). A virtual assignment may be possible if approved with the host college.

• Summer or Fall 2026

STIPENDS

Eligible participants will receive stipends of up to $3,700 based on successful achievement of the following milestones. Each milestone will be paid out upon completion. NCyTE staff will request a W9 tax and ACH (Direct Deposit) form prior to stipend payment.

• Complete the Microsoft 21^st Century Skills workshop (16 hours) and submit badge transcript/achievement certificate - $250
• Attempt the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification exam and submit evidence of certification - $250
• Complete the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Bootcamp (32 hours) and participate in bootcamp activities - $1,000
• Travel per diem for hotel, meals, and airfare for non-local residents. Must complete a travel support agreement. - up to $1,200
• Complete teaching assignments - participants are required to teach one lesson in a regular community college classroom and provide the required deliverables per a student teaching assistant agreement. - $1,000

WHO SHOULD APPLY

• College/university students in their final year of or recently graduated (within a year) with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity or STEM .
  • Degree program must be at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
  • Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident (have a green card).
  • Must reside in the U.S. or U.S. territory for the duration of the program.
  • Interested in exploring the career path of teaching cybersecurity in a community college setting.
  • Students from underrepresented groups in cybersecurity are encouraged to apply. 

• This workshop is not for:
  • Current or past K-12, college, or university faculty.
  • Anyone with formal teacher education or significant teaching experience.

HOW TO APPLY

• Apply to the Faculty Fellowship Program here.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• You will be asked to provide your unofficial transcripts, an instructor endorsement letter, and a brief essay on what motivates your interest in teaching and participating in the program.

KEY DATES

• Application deadline extended: January 31, 2026 February 6, 2026
• Approximate notification date: February 20, 2026

We’re inviting community and technical college faculty to mentor a 2026 Cybersecurity Fellow during the Fall 2026 semester.

As a mentor, you’ll collaborate on lesson planning, provide guidance, and support your fellow as they deliver one class session. either remotely or in person.  It’s a flexible, rewarding experience that supports faculty development, builds your professional network, and contributes to the cybersecurity workforce pipeline. There is also a stipend available for your participation.

Interested? Visit bit.ly/FellowshipMentor to learn more.

For more information, contact:

Emma Graves, Project Manager
EGraves@whatcom.edu

Download Printable Flyer Here: NCyTE Fellowship Infographic

  This event is funded by the National Science Foundation grant #2054724