The (ISC)² Women’s Scholarship is an ongoing effort designed to address the disparity in the representation of females in the cybersecurity profession across the globe. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education runs this program, which offers financial support to women pursuing or planning to pursue a career in the cybersecurity field. The scholarship aims to support and encourage women pursuing careers in the field of cybersecurity.The specific details of the (ISC)² Women’s Scholarship, including eligibility criteria, application process, and award amounts, may vary from year to year. Winners of the scholarship receive monetary support up to $5,000, which can be used for paying tuition, fees, and course-related reading material. Due to the closure of the 2026 scholarship cycle in mid-March, the scholarship program is in the middle of a transition phase where recipients have been informed; however, the next round will commence early 2027.
However, generally, the scholarship is open to women who are pursuing or planning to pursue a degree or certification related to cybersecurity or information security.
The funding model is designed to be simple and straightforward. Following the confirmation of the applicant’s enrolment, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education will pay the scholarship directly to the educational institution where the beneficiary is enrolled. In this way, the scholarship money will be available to meet the costs related to the fall semester immediately upon confirmation. While the scholarship is awarded only once, beneficiaries are encouraged to reapply again each time a new round of applications is being considered. This way, women will have the ability to keep progressing through the highly challenging educational program.
Another valuable feature of the program relates to the professional benefits that scholars can obtain from it. As members of the ISC2 community, beneficiaries will gain experience in a professional environment with over 150,000 certified specialists. This membership will provide women with access to mentorship, networking, and employment opportunities that are especially beneficial for women joining a highly competitive industry. The flexibility of the scholarship program allows beneficiaries to participate both in full-time and part-time, online, and traditional on-campus programs.
