AI in Cybersecurity Education
Faculty Development Summer Institute 2026
Host: The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: June 1 – July 10, 2026
Application Deadline: February 28, 2026 March 14, 2026
Overview
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the cybersecurity landscape—from Large Language Models that automate phishing to adversarial attacks that evade detection. To prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, educators must integrate these concepts into their curricula.
Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this fully-funded summer institute is a collaborative initiative between The George Washington University and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We provide cybersecurity faculty with the dedicated time, technical resources, and expert mentorship needed to modernize their curricula. Join us to shape the future of the field at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity.
Participants will leave this institute with:
- Technical Fluency: Hands-on experience with PyTorch, LLMs, and Adversarial ML tools.
- Course Materials: A “Fall-ready” curriculum module tailored for the home institution’s specific teaching context.
- A Community: A network of peers and experts to support long-term teaching goals.
An Immersive, Flexible, and Collaborative Program
The summer schedule is designed to balance intensive cohort building with the flexibility for participants to attend to personal and institutional obligations.
| Phase | Dates | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Immersion | June 1 – June 19 | In-Person (DC) | Deep dive into technical labs, cohort building, and curriculum drafting. |
| Phase 2: Development | June 22 – July 3 | Virtual / Home | Curriculum refinement at home institution with scheduled check-ins and development support. |
| Phase 3: Practicum | July 6 – 10 | In-Person (DC) | Peer teaching practicums, critiques, and final polish of materials. |
| Post-Workshop | AY 2026-2027 | Virtual / Home | Optional monthly meetings to share experiences; follow-up with external evaluators. |
Funding & Support
We are committed to making this professional development accessible. All admitted participants receive:
- Travel: Fully covered airfare/train for two round trips (Phase 1 + return for Phase 3).
- Housing: Private apartment-style housing at GWU (includes kitchens and private baths), available for the full six weeks.
- Stipend: A small stipend is provided to support incidental expenses during the in-person days.
- Honorarium: An additional honorarium is awarded post-institute upon the successful teaching of new material and participation in the external evaluation process.
Who Should Apply?
We seek a diverse cohort of 25 faculty members committed to updating their teaching.
- Profile: Full-time faculty (teaching or tenure track) at a U.S. institution of higher education, currently teaching Cybersecurity.
- Commitment: Must be available for all in-person dates and have departmental support to teach the developed materials in the 2026/2027 academic year.
How to Apply
The application process is managed via our online portal. Before you begin, please prepare:
- Course Proposal: A brief description of the course where you intend to deploy the new AI materials.
- Letter of Support: Please ask your Department Chair to prepare a letter confirming:
- Release time for the summer dates.
- Commitment to offering the course/module in the upcoming academic year.
Deadline: February 28, 2026March 14, 2026
Questions? Please contact: rebecca.hwa@gwu.edu