The Cybersafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 for African women in cybersecurity (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline:  September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT.

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 Cybersafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship. The CyberSafe X SANS AI Security Fellowship is a completely funded, nine-month superior coaching and certification programme for skilled African women in cybersecurity who’re able to specialise in securing AI techniques and purposes. Over the course of the fellowship, individuals transfer from foundational AI safety literacy to superior application safety and automation observe, constructing the technical depth to defend, construct, and automate safe AI techniques. 

The programme brings collectively two complementary strengths: CyberSafe Foundation‘s pipeline of capable women across the African cybersecurity community, built over years through programmes like CyberGirls, and SANS Institute‘s curriculum, labs, and certification path. It’s a direct reply to a widening hole. AI safety is among the fastest-growing and least-staffed disciplines in cybersecurity, and this fellowship is designed to place its fellows on the entrance of that demand curve, not the again of it. 

Requirements

This fellowship is designed for skilled cybersecurity professionals who’re able to specialise. You could also be a robust match in case you can say sure to all the following:

• You are a girl older than 21
• You are African, communicate English, and at present reside in an African nation.
• You have not less than three years of hands-on cybersecurity expertise.
• You have a real curiosity in AI safety.
• You can decide to the total fellowship, together with devoted examination preparation home windows.
• You are keen to finish the prerequisite AI safety course as part of the application course of.

Benefits

• Specialised AI safety experience: Move past basic cybersecurity information into sensible abilities masking LLMs, generative AI purposes, RAG techniques, AI risk modelling, application safety, and safety automation.
• Hands-on observe: Build, safe, analyse, and defend techniques via labs designed round actual AI safety challenges.
• Globally recognised certifications: Preparation for the GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS) and GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE) certifications.
• Instruction from main practitioners: Courses are taught by working AI safety consultants, researchers, and course authors.
• Mentorship and Structured assist

Application Timeline

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Cybersafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship