§7404 National Science Foundation Computer and Network Security Programs

Summary

Creates several NSF programs to grow education and jobs in computer and network security. The NSF Director must run competitive grant programs for colleges to start or improve undergraduate and master’s programs, recruit more students (including people from groups that are underrepresented and veterans), and give students hands-on experience with government or industry. Grants must be won by merit. Money can be used for things like new or revised courses, degrees and certificates, student research, equipment and test networks, faculty partnerships with government or industry, internships, community college–to‑university bridge programs, web-based course materials, and help for veterans. Applications must describe the school’s current capacity, a plan to build programs, relevant partnerships, past and expected student enrollment and job placement, and a way to measure success. Grants should be spread across different regions and types of schools, can last up to 5 years, and the Director must evaluate the program no later than 6 years after it starts. Authorized funding: $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. Also funds other related programs. The Director must give grants under the Scientific and Advanced Technology Act limited to computer and network security (authorized: $1,000,000 for 2003; $1,250,000 for each of 2004–2007). The Director must fund competitive graduate traineeships for PhD students doing computer or network security research. Those grants pay traineeships, tuition, internships, and admin costs. Traineeships are $25,000 per year or the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship level, whichever is greater, for up to 3 years. Applications must describe graduate research and internship plans; selection will consider program quality, ability to recruit more students (including underrepresented groups and veterans), internship quality and relevance. Authorized funding: $10,000,000 for 2003; $20,000,000 for each of 2004–2007. Computer and network security must be included among NSF Graduate Research Fellowship specializations. The NSF must also fund a faculty‑development traineeship program to prepare new cyber security professors. Those awards cover tuition and fees and a $25,000 annual living stipend, for up to 5 years. Trainees must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents and committed to careers in higher education. Traineeships are repayable but are forgiven 20 percent for each year a recipient works full‑time as a college faculty member, up to 5 years; waivers are allowed for hardship. Authorized funding: $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2003 through 2007.