Intelligence Community Scholars Program

The Hume Center administers the Intelligence Community Scholars Program at Virginia Tech, which is supported both by the Hume Endowment and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The Scholarship application phase for 2013-14 funding is now closed. We will solicit applications again in the spring of 2014. Through a partnership with Howard University, Virginia Tech has been named by ODNI as an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence to help meet the intelligence community's critical need for diverse personnel who possess the technological, analytic, and critical language capabilities needed for the 21st Century world. Virginia Tech and Howard University help develop the pipeline of qualified candidates through a targeted development of pre-collegiate outreach, National Security symposium, basic research in IC relevant topics, curriculum development, funding students to study abroad, and facilitating internships and co-ops with IC agencies, national labs, and related industries.

The IC Scholars program provides benefits to students from all majors by:

  • providing scholarships and fellowships to US citizens interested in pursuing careers in national security;
  • increasing awareness of the diverse agency missions; and
  • enhancing competitiveness for highly-sought-after National Security internships and full-time positions with agencies, national labs, and industry.

The program funds students for participation in substantive study abroad experiences. Additionally, students will receive enhanced internship placement services. Students across the University will benefit from an IC Speaker series, and IC brief writing, resume development, and security clearance workshops. A multi-pronged approach of enhancing existing courses with IC-relevant teaching modules combined with a long-term vision of a National Security concentration or certificate creates a legacy for future students. This program contributes to broadening students' awareness of National Security issues and global cultures, making them better world citizens regardless of their ultimate career paths.

Application to join IC-CAE: www.hume.ictas.vt.edu/iccae_apps

Scholarships and Fellowships

The Hume Center and the IC-CAE offers an annual scholarship and fellowship program for students interested in careers in the national security sector, both in industry and civil service. The Scholarship application phase for 2013-2014 funding is now closed.

The following classes of scholarships and fellowships are available:

  • Four-year, $15,000 per year Hume undergraduate scholarship
  • Two-year, $4,000 per year Hume undergraduate scholarship
  • One-year, $4,000 Mark Kusiak Memorial undergraduate scholarship
  • Two-year, $3,000 per year Hume graduate fellowship
  • One-year, $1,500 IC-CAE Scholarship, open to undergraduate or graduate students

Key requirements for applicants are as follows:

  • Must be a current student of Virginia Tech, or have been admitted to either an undergraduate or graduate program starting in Fall 2013
  • Must be a United States Citizen
  • Must be interested in a career in intelligence, defense, or national security
  • Have a 3.0 grade point average or higher
  • For the Kusiak scholarship, be a CS or ECE undergraduate with a minimum 3.5 GPA

Selected students are required to:

  • Attend at least three IC CAE events each semester.
  • Apply for and if accepted, complete an internship with an organization, agency, or company servicing the intelligence, defense, or national security sector
  • Maintain specific minimum GPA requirements (Freshman 3.0, Sophomore 3.25, Junior/Senior/Graduate 3.5)
  • Undergraduate Scholars are required to identify a focused area of independent student research related to the IC or National Security, develop and present a research poster at the IC Colloquium and write a final report on the topic.
  • Graduate Scholars are required to select a thesis or dissertation topic with applications to National Security.
  • Mark Kusiak Scholar requirements

We encourage applications from students majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects, but any major is eligible for the scholarships. We seek a diverse pool of applicants. Students with a financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the review process.

If you have any questions about the IC Scholars program, or the application process, please read the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Dr. Kristie Cooper.