CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
The CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded, nine-month advanced training and certification programme for experienced African women in cybersecurity. The online fellowship combines SANS training, hands-on labs, mentorship, and certification preparation. Applications close on September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT.
Quick Overview
Programme: CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship
Opportunity Type: Advanced Training and Certification Fellowship
Organisations: CyberSafe Foundation and SANS Institute
Programme Format: Self-paced online training through SANS OnDemand
Duration: Nine months
Training Begins: October 26, 2026
Deadline: September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT
Funding: Fully Funded
About the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026
The fellowship is designed for experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to specialise in securing AI systems and applications. It is not an entry-level cybersecurity programme.
Participants progress from foundational AI security knowledge to advanced application security and security automation. The programme combines SANS curriculum, practical labs, mentorship, and certification preparation.
What the Fellowship Offers
The programme develops specialised skills across several areas of AI security.
✓ Specialised AI security training covering LLMs, generative AI applications, RAG systems, AI threat modelling, application security, and security automation
✓ Hands-on labs based on AI security challenges
✓ Preparation for the GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS) certification
✓ Preparation for the GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE) certification
✓ Instruction from AI security practitioners, researchers, consultants, and course authors
✓ Mentorship and structured support
Fellowship Learning Path
The programme follows four training stages.
• SEC411: AI Security Principles and Practices: GenAI and LLM Defense — covers AI security foundations, large language models, tokenisation security, attack surfaces, prompt injection, and jailbreaking.
• SEC495: Leveraging LLMs: Building & Securing RAG, Contextual RAG and Agentic RAG — focuses on building and securing Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, access controls, prompt injection defence, and sensitive information protection.
• SEC545: GenAI and LLM Application Security — covers security for GenAI applications, vector databases, LangChain agents, MCP, Kubernetes, AI threat modelling, and a capstone capture-the-flag exercise.
• SEC598: AI and Security Automation for Red, Blue and Purple Teams — focuses on security workflow automation, SOAR playbooks, infrastructure as code, and AI-driven detection and response across AWS and Azure.
Also read: World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026 in Korea (Fully Funded)
Benefits and Financial Coverage
The official programme page describes the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship as fully funded.
✓ Fellows do not pay tuition
✓ SANS provides the training and certification pathway as an in-kind contribution
✓ SANS OnDemand training
✓ Hands-on labs throughout the programme
✓ Mentorship and structured support
✓ Biweekly progress reviews
Check: U.S. Treasury International Affairs Junior Fellowship 2027–2029
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the stated eligibility requirements.
• 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 full fellowship, including dedicated exam preparation windows
• Be willing to complete the prerequisite AI security course as part of the application process
Previous AI experience is not required. However, applicants must have the required cybersecurity background. The fellowship is also open to eligible applicants who are not CyberSafe Foundation alumnae.
Required Application Information
Applicants are required to provide:
• Contact and location information
• LinkedIn profile
• Current role and organisation
• Years of cybersecurity experience
• CV of no more than two pages in PDF format
• Responses to the application questions
Applicants may also provide AI-related articles or publications as optional supporting material.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants must complete the designated prerequisite AI security course and submit the required credential before their application can proceed to formal review.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants then progress through:
• Prerequisite requirement
• Shortlisting
• Interviews
• Identity verification
• Final selection
Explore: OIST Research Internship Spring 2027 in Japan (No IELTS Required)
Important Dates
• Applications Open: August 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT
• Applications Close: September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT
• Applications Reviewed: Rolling basis
• Selection and Feedback: September 30, 2026
• Orientation: October 21, 2026
• Training Begins: October 26, 2026
• Fellowship Completion: July 30, 2027
Application Deadline
Applications for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship close on September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM WAT.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
