ESET Opens Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship 2026 Applications on International Women's Day

The program continues ESET's commitment to supporting and empowering women pursuing careers in cybersecurity.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, has announced the opening of applications for its Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship, launching on International Women's Day in alignment with the 2026 theme, #GiveToGain. The program, now entering its eleventh year, provides financial assistance, mentorship, and community-building to support and empower women pursuing careers in cybersecurity.

Why it matters

The ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship aims to address the gender gap in the cybersecurity industry, where women currently represent just 22% of the global workforce. As emerging technologies continue to reshape the threat landscape, diversity of perspective is critical to developing ethical and effective solutions.

The details

For the 2026 application cycle, ESET North America will award $35,000 in scholarships. In the United States, ESET will grant two $10,000 awards, including one award dedicated to a student in San Diego, honoring the program's origins at ESET's North American headquarters. In Canada, ESET will award three $5,000 awards to applicants demonstrating strong technical aptitude, leadership potential, and a commitment to cybersecurity.

  • The ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship program was launched in 2016.
  • Applications for the 2026 scholarship cycle are now being accepted and must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 8, 2026.
  • The program has awarded over $187,500 to 39 women in North America since its inception.

The players

ESET

A global leader in cybersecurity and the organizer of the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship program.

Marissa Pitchford

Internal Communications and ESG Manager at ESET North America.

Alexis Eskenazi

A UC Berkeley student and 2025 recipient of ESET's Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship.

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What they’re saying

“Giving support, resources, and opportunity to women in cybersecurity creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire industry.”

— Marissa Pitchford, Internal Communications and ESG Manager at ESET North America (ESET)

“The impact of this scholarship extends far beyond financial support. For me, it affirmed that leadership roles are within reach and that women deserve a seat at the table shaping the future of technology. That mindset has influenced every step I've taken since.”

— Alexis Eskenazi, UC Berkeley student and 2025 recipient of ESET's Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship (ESET)

What’s next

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2026 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship is 11:59 p.m. PT on April 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship program is a long-standing initiative that aims to address the gender gap in the cybersecurity industry by providing financial support, mentorship, and community-building opportunities for women pursuing careers in this field.