UMSA Foundation Scholarship Program
The UMSA Foundation launched its scholarship program in support of our continued efforts in interdisciplinary collaboration and education. Just as we are committed to supporting organizations and professionals in security and risk-related industries, so are we committed to providing support in education. Through this scholarship program, we aim to provide financial assistance as a way to build the leaders of our future and sustain our industries.
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- Sai Keertana Lakku and Faaliha Mohamed Prem Navaz
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- $3,000 Recipients on Screen
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- Recipients Onstage
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- Congratulations, Jenisha Sharma!
Important Dates
September 15, 2026: Application Opens
February 28, 2027: Application Deadline
April 2027: Winners announced
May 12-13, 2027: Winners receive recognition at Secure360
The scholarship program offers up to four (4) $3,000 scholarships and eight (8) $1,000 scholarships for students in undergraduate or graduate programs in the any of the following fields (applicants can apply in more than one field):
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
- Cybersecurity
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Physical Security
The recipients of the 2027 UMSA scholarships will be notified in April 2027 and invited to receive recognition during the May 12-13, 2027 Secure360 Conference. Recipients may also be recognized at additional Secure360 events during 2027 as schedules permit.
Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must be a high school senior or enrolled in a college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student, either in the current or upcoming calendar year, graduating after November 2027. Applicants must be studying any of the following four fields:
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- Cybersecurity
- Governance, risk and compliance
- Physical security
Applicants must be a resident or attend school in the upper Midwest states:
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
UMSA board members, UMSA Foundation and/or UMSA committee members, and immediate family of these individuals (where the immediate family is defined as spouse or child) are not eligible.
Individuals are allowed to receive two scholarships within a four-year period.
Selection Criteria
Scholarships will be selected for award based on the following criteria:
- Applicant’s ability to align with UMSA’s goals, mission, and vision
- Quality of writing/essay response
- Personal goals and/or program of study relevant to at least one or more of the four fields mentioned above
- Phone interview, as determined by committee
Deadlines
2027 applications will open September 15, 2026.
All applications must be received online using the submission button above. The deadline to submit applications for 2027 is February 28, 2027. Upon initial review, the UMSA scholarship committee may invite finalists to a phone interview during the month of March.
2027 Winner Announcements and Awards
The recipients of the 2027 UMSA scholarships will be notified in April 2027 and invited to receive recognition during the May 12-13, 2027 Secure360 Conference at which time they will receive their scholarship dollars. Recipients may also be recognized at additional UMSA events during 2027 as schedules permit.
Questions?
Contact Marie Strawser, UMSA managing director: director@umsafoundation.org
