Applications are now open for the Cybersafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026, a fully funded nine-month program for experienced African women in cybersecurity. The application deadline is September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT.
This fellowship supports women who want to specialize in securing AI systems. Training is delivered online through SANS OnDemand. In addition, fellows will complete hands-on labs, receive mentorship, and prepare for GIAC certifications.
Key Details:
Application Deadline: September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT
Eligible Countries: Any African country (applicant must be African and currently resident in an African country)
Program Duration: 9 months (Training begins Oct 26, 2026; Fellowship completion Jul 30, 2027)
Program Location: Online (SANS OnDemand); applicants must currently reside in an African country
Funding/Benefits: Fully funded (training and certification provided in-kind by SANS)
Award Provider: CyberSafe Foundation (partner: SANS Institute)
About this Program
The Cybersafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship is an advanced training and certification pathway focused on AI security. It is designed for experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to build expertise in areas such as large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, application security, and automation.
Over nine months, selected fellows will follow a sequenced learning path through SANS OnDemand. They will also join hands-on labs, mentorship sessions, and biweekly progress reviews. The fellowship includes preparation for the GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS) and GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE) certifications.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be women older than 21.
- Applicants must be African and currently resident in an African country.
- Applicants must be English-speaking.
- Applicants must have at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience.
- Applicants must be willing to complete the prerequisite AI security course as part of the application.
- Applicants must be able to commit to the full fellowship, including exam preparation windows.
What Fellows Receive: Fully funded training and certification pathway, hands-on labs, mentorship, GIAC certification preparation, biweekly progress reviews, and specialized AI security expertise.
Program Components
Complete the sequenced SANS OnDemand courses and hands-on labs.
Participate in biweekly progress reviews and mentorship.
Prepare for and attempt GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS) and GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE) certifications.
Commit to the full fellowship duration and exam preparation windows.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online application on the program portal. You will need contact and location information, your LinkedIn profile, details of your current role and organization, your years of cybersecurity experience, a CV in PDF format of no more than two pages, responses to the application questions, and a credential showing completion of the prerequisite AI security course.
Before you apply, review the program requirements carefully. Then prepare all requested materials and submit your application before the deadline.
👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details
