CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026

CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded

The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded advanced cybersecurity training and certification opportunity for experienced African women who want to specialize in Artificial Intelligence security. The fellowship is jointly delivered by the CyberSafe Foundation and SANS Institute and is designed for cybersecurity professionals who already have practical experience and want to develop advanced skills in securing AI systems and applications.

Unlike entry-level cybersecurity programs, this fellowship is specifically designed for professionals with an established cybersecurity foundation. Participants will receive SANS OnDemand training, hands-on laboratory experience, mentorship, and preparation for internationally recognized AI security certifications.

The fellowship will be delivered online over approximately nine months, with training scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026, and completion planned for July 30, 2027. Applications close on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT.

What is the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026?

The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship is an advanced professional development program focused on the growing field of AI cybersecurity.

The program combines CyberSafe Foundation's experience developing cybersecurity talent across Africa with SANS Institute's technical training, laboratories, and certification pathway. Participants will learn how to identify and defend against emerging threats affecting generative AI, large language models, RAG systems, and AI-powered applications.

The fellowship is fully funded, meaning selected fellows do not pay tuition for the training and certification pathway.

CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026: Quick Details

Category	Details
Fellowship Name	CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026
Host Organizations	CyberSafe Foundation & SANS Institute
Location	Online
Duration	9 Months
Training Period	October 2026 – July 2027
Training Begins	October 26, 2026
Fellowship Completion	July 30, 2027
Target Applicants	African Women in Cybersecurity
Minimum Experience	3 Years of Hands-on Cybersecurity Experience
Age Requirement	Over 21
Language	English
Funding	Fully Funded
Application Opens	August 19, 2026
Application Deadline	September 10, 2026
Deadline Time	12:00 PM WAT

The official CyberSafe Foundation confirms that applications opened on August 19, 2026, and close on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT.

Benefits of CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026

Selected fellows receive access to advanced cybersecurity training without paying tuition.

Major benefits include:

• Fully funded training and certification pathway

• SANS OnDemand cybersecurity training

• Hands-on AI security laboratories

• Mentorship and structured support

• Preparation for GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS)

• Preparation for GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE)

• Training in AI threat modelling

• Practical experience with generative AI and LLM security

• Exposure to RAG security and AI application security

• Security automation training

• Online learning that can be completed from an eligible African country

• Guidance from experienced AI security practitioners, researchers and course authors

The official program states that SANS provides the training and certification pathway as an in-kind contribution, so fellows do not pay tuition.

What Will Participants Learn?

The fellowship follows a structured learning pathway that moves from AI security fundamentals to advanced application security and automation.

The four major training components include:

AI Security Principles and Practices

Participants begin with AI security fundamentals, including AI attack surfaces, large language models, tokenization security, prompt injection, and jailbreaking.

Securing RAG and Agentic RAG Systems

Participants learn how to build and secure Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems. Topics include access controls, prompt-injection defenses, and protection of sensitive information.

GenAI and LLM Application Security

The program then moves into real-world GenAI application security, covering vector databases, LangChain agents, MCP, Kubernetes, and AI threat modelling.

AI and Security Automation

The final stage focuses on automating cybersecurity workflows using technologies such as SOAR playbooks, infrastructure as code, and AI-supported detection and response across AWS and Azure.

Eligibility Criteria for CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026

Applicants must meet several specific requirements.

To be eligible, applicants should:

• Be a woman over 21 years of age.

• Be African.

• Currently reside in an African country.

• Be able to communicate in English.

• Have at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience.

• Have a genuine interest in AI security.

• Be ready to specialize in AI security.

• Be able to commit to the complete fellowship and examination preparation periods.

• Complete the required prerequisite AI security course as part of the application process.

The program is specifically designed for experienced cybersecurity professionals and is not an entry-level cybersecurity program.

Do You Need Previous AI Experience?

No. Previous AI experience is not required.

However, applicants must already have a strong cybersecurity foundation and at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience.

This makes the fellowship particularly suitable for cybersecurity professionals who want to move into the rapidly developing area of AI security without necessarily having an extensive previous background in artificial intelligence.

Can Pakistani Students Apply?

No. Pakistani applicants are not eligible for this fellowship.

The CyberSafe Foundation clearly states that applicants must be African and currently resident in an African country. Applicants living outside Africa cannot apply.

Therefore, Pakistani women working or studying in Pakistan cannot apply for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026.

This opportunity is specifically intended to strengthen the AI security skills of women within the African cybersecurity community.

Required Documents and Application Information

Applicants should prepare the information and documents required for the online application.

The official application requirements include:

• Contact and location information

• LinkedIn profile

• Current professional role

• Organization information

• Years of cybersecurity experience

• CV of no more than two pages in PDF format

• Responses to application questions

• Required prerequisite AI security credential

Applicants may also provide additional AI-related articles or publications, although these are optional.

How to Apply for CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026?

Eligible African women can apply online through the official CyberSafe Foundation application page.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship webpage.

2. Carefully review the eligibility requirements.

3. Confirm that you are an African woman currently residing in an African country.

4. Confirm that you have at least three years of practical cybersecurity experience.

5. Complete the required prerequisite AI security course.

6. Prepare your CV in PDF format, keeping it within the two-page limit.

7. Complete your personal and professional information.

8. Provide your LinkedIn profile and cybersecurity experience.

9. Answer the application questions carefully.

10. Upload the required information and documents.

11. Review your application.

12. Submit it before the deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants may proceed through prerequisite verification, shortlisting, interviews, identity verification and final selection.

CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 Timeline

The official timeline for the fellowship is:

• Applications Open: August 19, 2026

• Applications Close: September 10, 2026

• Application Review: Rolling basis

• Selection and Feedback: September 30, 2026

• Orientation: October 21, 2026

• Training Begins: October 26, 2026

• Fellowship Completion: July 30, 2027

Applicants should complete their applications as early as possible because the review process begins on a rolling basis.

CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 Deadline

The application deadline for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 is September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT.

Applications opened on August 19, 2026. Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, eligible candidates should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications.

Is the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship Fully Funded?

Yes.

The official CyberSafe Foundation describes the fellowship as a fully funded nine-month advanced training and certification program. SANS provides the training and certification pathway as an in-kind contribution, and selected fellows do not pay tuition.

The opportunity is therefore best described as a fully funded professional training and certification fellowship, rather than a traditional university scholarship.

Why Apply for the AI Security Fellowship?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity industry, creating demand for professionals who understand both cybersecurity and AI-specific risks.

The fellowship can help experienced cybersecurity professionals develop expertise in areas such as:

• Generative AI security

• Large language model security

• Prompt injection

• AI threat modelling

• RAG security

• AI application security

• Security automation

• AI-powered detection and response

• Cloud-based AI security

Participants also gain access to a structured learning pathway, practical labs, mentorship and preparation for globally recognized GIAC certifications.

Final Thoughts

The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 is a valuable fully funded professional development opportunity for experienced African women working in cybersecurity. The nine-month online program combines advanced SANS training, hands-on laboratories, mentorship, and preparation for AI security certifications.

Applicants must be over 21, African, currently residing in an African country, and have at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience. Previous AI experience is not mandatory, but applicants need a strong cybersecurity foundation.

Applications close on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT, with training scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026. Pakistani students and professionals are not eligible because the fellowship is restricted to African women residing in Africa. Apply Now