CISA Cancels CyberCorps Internships Amid Government Shutdown

The cybersecurity agency cites the ongoing federal funding lapse as the reason for scrapping the summer internship program.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic data center, with pulsing neon lights and intricate cybernetic hardware, conceptually representing the critical digital infrastructure that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is responsible for protecting.The cancellation of CISA's cybersecurity internships underscores the broader challenges facing the federal government's digital defenses.Washington Today

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced it will not be offering internships to CyberCorps Scholarship-for-Service students this summer, citing the ongoing government shutdown as the reason. This marks the second consecutive year that CISA has canceled the internship program, leaving many CyberCorps scholars scrambling to find alternative employment.

Why it matters

The CyberCorps program provides scholarships to students in exchange for a commitment to work in the federal government after graduation. The cancellation of CISA's internships is a significant setback for these scholars, who are required to complete a government internship as part of their program. This further limits the job opportunities available to CyberCorps graduates in the federal cybersecurity workforce.

The details

CISA had planned to offer up to 100 CyberCorps internship roles this summer, both for undergraduate and post-graduate students. However, messages shared with Federal News Network show that CISA decided to cancel the internships this week, citing the lapse in appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since February 14. Roughly 60% of CISA's staff was furloughed during the shutdown, though all furloughed workers were recalled late last week.

  • The government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • CISA announced the cancellation of the 2026 CyberCorps internships this week.

The players

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

A federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and cybersecurity.

CyberCorps Scholarship-for-Service

A scholarship program administered by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Personnel Management that provides funding for students in exchange for a commitment to work in the federal government after graduation.

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What’s next

CISA has stated that it hopes to be able to offer CyberCorps internships again next year, once the government shutdown has been resolved.

The takeaway

The cancellation of CISA's CyberCorps internships for the second year in a row highlights the ongoing challenges facing the federal cybersecurity workforce, as budget uncertainty and political gridlock continue to disrupt critical talent pipeline programs.