Cybersecurity fellowships 2026 are becoming increasingly valuable for professionals who want to deepen their technical expertise and move into emerging areas of information security. One notable opportunity currently accepting applications is the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026, a fully funded, nine-month programme designed for experienced African women in cybersecurity who want to specialise in securing artificial intelligence systems and applications.
The programme combines CyberSafe Foundation’s cybersecurity community and experience with the technical training, laboratories and certification pathway of the SANS Institute. It focuses specifically on the rapidly developing intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026
The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship is designed for cybersecurity professionals who already have practical experience and want to develop advanced AI security capabilities.
Rather than serving as an entry-level cybersecurity programme, the fellowship builds on an existing cybersecurity foundation. Participants progress from AI security fundamentals to application security and security automation through structured SANS training, practical laboratories, mentorship, and certification preparation.
Applications opened on August 19, 2026, and close on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
The fellowship is fully funded, meaning selected participants do not pay tuition for the fellowship training and certification pathway. SANS contributes the training and certification pathway as an in-kind contribution.
Participants can develop specialised knowledge in areas including:
- Large language model security
- Generative AI security
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
- AI threat modelling
- AI application security
- Security automation
- AI attack surfaces
- Secure AI systems
- Cloud-based AI security
The programme also provides hands-on laboratory experience designed around practical AI security challenges.
Certifications and Training
A major feature of the fellowship is its structured SANS learning pathway. Participants prepare for the GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS) and GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE) certifications.
The learning pathway includes four major stages:
1. AI Security Principles and Practices
Participants develop foundational knowledge of AI security, including large language models, tokenisation security, AI attack surfaces, prompt injection,n and related security considerations.
2. Securing RAG and Agentic RAG
The programme progresses into Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, including access controls, prompt-injection defenses and protection of sensitive information.
3. GenAI and LLM Application Security
Participants explore security considerations involving vector databases, agents, Kubernetes and AI threat modelling, with practical exercises forming part of the learning experience.
4. AI and Security Automation
The final stage focuses on automating security workflows and applying AI to detection and response across cloud environments.
This progression gives the fellowship a strong practical focus rather than concentrating exclusively on theoretical cybersecurity concepts.
Who Can Apply?
The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship has specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants should:
- Be a woman older than 21
- Be African
- Speak English
- Currently reside in an African country
- Have at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience
- Have a genuine interest in AI security
- Be able to commit to the complete fellowship
- Complete the required prerequisite AI security course
Previous AI experience is not required, provided the applicant has a strong cybersecurity foundation and meets the experience requirement.
The programme is also not restricted to previous CyberSafe Foundation participants. The official programme information states that eligible African women residing in Africa can apply even if they have not previously participated in a CyberSafe Foundation programme.
Application Process
Applicants are expected to provide professional and personal information as part of the application.
The application form requests information such as:
- Contact details
- Country of origin and residence
- LinkedIn profile
- Years of cybersecurity experience
- Current job role
- Current employer
- CV
- Optional AI-related publications or articles
- Responses to application questions
The CV must be submitted as a PDF and may contain no more than two pages.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the written application questions. CyberSafe explicitly requires applicants to answer these questions in their own words and from their own experiences. The application page warns that substantially AI-generated responses can result in disqualification.
Selection Timeline
The fellowship follows a defined recruitment and training schedule.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | August 19, 2026 |
| Applications close | September 10, 2026 |
| Applications reviewed | Rolling basis |
| Selection and feedback | September 30, 2026 |
| Orientation | October 21, 2026 |
| Training begins | October 26, 2026 |
| Fellowship completion | July 30, 2027 |
All application times are based on West Africa Time (WAT).
What Happens During the Fellowship?
The fellowship uses SANS OnDemand training, allowing participants to complete the coursework online and at their own pace. The training includes hands-on laboratories, while progress is supported through regular reviews.
Participants therefore have the opportunity to combine structured learning with practical exercises in emerging areas of AI security.
The programme is particularly relevant for professionals working in areas such as cybersecurity operations, cloud security, application security, security engineering, threat detection and related technical roles who want to develop a specialised AI security profile.
Why AI Security Skills Are Becoming Important
Artificial intelligence is changing the cybersecurity landscape by creating new applications, infrastructure and attack surfaces that security professionals need to understand.
SANS has also highlighted the emergence of new AI-related cybersecurity roles and the changing skills required by security professionals as organizations increasingly integrate AI into their technology environments.
This makes specialised training in AI security potentially valuable for experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to remain competitive as the field develops.
The CyberSafe x SANS programme specifically addresses this intersection by combining cybersecurity expertise with AI-focused security training and certification preparation.
Is the CyberSafe x SANS Fellowship Fully Funded?
Yes. According to CyberSafe Foundation, the fellowship is fully funded. SANS provides the training and certification pathway as an in-kind contribution, so selected fellows do not pay tuition for the programme.
However, applicants should carefully review the official programme information for the full scope of what the funding covers rather than assuming that every personal expense associated with participation will automatically be paid.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This opportunity is most appropriate for experienced African women already working in cybersecurity rather than students seeking their first cybersecurity qualification.
A strong prospective applicant could be someone who has several years of hands-on cybersecurity experience and now wants to specialise in areas such as:
- AI application security
- LLM security
- Cloud security for AI systems
- AI threat modelling
- Security automation
- RAG security
- Generative AI security
The absence of a requirement for previous AI experience means cybersecurity professionals can use the fellowship to build an AI security specialisation on top of their existing technical foundation.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 is September 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM WAT. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so eligible candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to begin the process.
Applicants should also complete the required prerequisite AI security course and carefully review the official application guide before submitting their application.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the official CyberSafe Foundation fellowship page for the eligibility requirements, application guide, learning pathway, and application process.
Apply for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship.
The official application form is also available through CyberSafe Foundation.
CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship Application Form
Final Thoughts
The Cybersecurity Fellowships 2026 landscape is increasingly expanding into specialised areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud security and security automation. The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship stands out as a targeted opportunity for experienced African women who want to develop advanced AI security expertise through structured SANS training, practical laboratories, mentorship and certification preparation.
With applications closing on September 10, 2026, eligible cybersecurity professionals should carefully review the official requirements and prepare their application using their own professional experiences and perspectives.
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