CyberSafe Fully Funded AI Security Fellowship 2026

CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026 for African Women | Fully Funded

Applications are open for the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship 2026, a fully funded nine-month advanced training and certification programme for experienced African women in cybersecurity who want to specialise in AI security.

The fellowship combines SANS training, hands-on labs, mentorship and professional certification preparation.

Participants will progress from AI security fundamentals to securing generative AI applications, RAG systems, large language models and cloud-based security automation.

This is not an entry-level cybersecurity programme. Applicants are expected to already have significant hands-on cybersecurity experience.

Programme Details

• Programme: CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship
• Organisers: CyberSafe Foundation and SANS Institute
• Target Group: African Women in Cybersecurity
• Duration: 9 Months
• Funding: Fully Funded
• Training Start: 26 October 2026
• Fellowship Completion: 30 July 2027
• Deadline: 10 September 2026, 12:00 PM WAT

About the CyberSafe x SANS AI Security Fellowship

The fellowship was created to help experienced African cybersecurity professionals develop specialised expertise in securing artificial intelligence systems and applications.

Participants will undertake a structured learning pathway covering AI security principles, LLM defence, Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, application security, threat modelling and AI-powered security automation.

Training is delivered through SANS OnDemand courses alongside practical labs, mentorship and structured support.

Learning Path

The nine-month programme consists of four major stages:

1. AI Security Principles and Practices – SEC411

Participants will develop foundational knowledge of AI and LLM security, including:

• How large language models work
• AI attack surfaces
• Tokenisation security
• Prompt injection
• Jailbreaking
• Generative AI and LLM defence

2. Building and Securing RAG Systems – SEC495

Participants will learn how to build and secure Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, including:

• Building RAG systems from the ground up
• Contextual and Agentic RAG
• Implementing access controls
• Protecting sensitive information
• Defending RAG systems against prompt injection

3. GenAI and LLM Application Security – SEC545

This stage focuses on securing real-world generative AI applications. Areas covered include:

• Vector databases
• LangChain agents
• Model Context Protocol (MCP)
• Kubernetes
• AI threat modelling
• MAESTRO threat-modelling framework
• Practical capture-the-flag exercises

4. AI and Security Automation – SEC598

Participants will learn how to automate cybersecurity workflows using AI and modern security infrastructure.

Training includes:

• Security automation
• SOAR playbooks
• Infrastructure as code
• AI-driven detection and response
• AWS security automation
• Azure security automation
• Red, Blue and Purple Team workflows

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be women aged above 21.
• Be African and currently reside in an African country.
• Be able to communicate in English.
• Have at least three years of hands-on cybersecurity experience.
• Have a genuine interest in specialising in AI security.
• Be able to commit to the entire nine-month fellowship.
• Be available for the dedicated certification exam preparation periods.
• Complete the prerequisite AI security course required during the application process.

Previous AI experience is not stated as a requirement, but applicants must already have substantial cybersecurity experience.

Benefits

• Fully funded nine-month fellowship
• SANS OnDemand professional training
• Hands-on AI security laboratories
• Specialised training in LLM and generative AI security
• Practical experience building and securing RAG systems
• AI threat-modelling training
• AWS and Azure security automation training
• Mentorship and structured learning support
• Preparation for globally recognised GIAC certifications
• Exposure to emerging AI security technologies and practices

Professional Certification Preparation

The fellowship includes preparation for:

• GIAC AI Platform Security (GAIPS)
• GIAC AI Security Automation Engineer (GASAE)

These certification pathways complement the technical training participants receive throughout the fellowship.

Selection Timeline

• Applications Open: 19 August 2026, 12:00 PM WAT
• Applications Close: 10 September 2026, 12:00 PM WAT
• Application Review: Rolling Basis
• Selection and Feedback: 30 September 2026
• Orientation: 21 October 2026
• Training Begins: 26 October 2026
• Fellowship Completion: 30 July 2027

Important Note

The fellowship is fully funded. Selected fellows do not pay tuition for the SANS training and certification pathway.

Applicants should carefully review the application requirements and complete the prerequisite AI security course required as part of the selection process.

Deadline: 10 September 2026, 12:00 PM WAT

Apply Here