Next Gen Scholarship

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. If the applicant pool allows, awards will be distributed as follows:

• Up to 10 awards of $10,000 for U.S. and Canadian four-year University students
• Up to 10 awards of $2,500 for U.S. and Canadian vocational-technical/Community College students
• Up to 10 awards of $2,500 for India students

Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Recipients may be invited to apply for CrowdStrike Internships.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in July.

Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of CrowdStrike. Payment is made in August.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship finalists are selected on the basis of:

• Academic performance
• Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
• Work experience
• A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
• Unusual personal or family circumstances

Financial need is not considered.

Additionally, two essays* will be required and reviewed by CrowdStrike during recipient selection.

Selection of finalists is made by Scholarship America. CrowdStrike will select recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

The number of applications received will be capped and applications received after the cap has been reached may not be considered.

*Essay topics

1. As generative AI becomes increasingly embedded across enterprise environments, security teams face both new risks and new opportunities.
    
   Propose a novel security application that leverages generative AI, which may be either defensive or offensive in nature. In your response, clearly explain:
   • The specific security problem your application addresses
   • How generative AI enables capabilities that traditional security tools cannot
   • The primary goals of the use case (e.g., reducing analyst workload, improving detection speed, optimizing data collection, disrupting adversary operations)
   • Potential risks or limitations of your approach and how they might be mitigated

    
   Your answer should demonstrate original thinking and an understanding of how generative AI can meaningfully reshape modern cybersecurity operations. (750 word maximum)

2. Recent threat intelligence reporting, including the CrowdStrike Global Threat Report 2025, highlights a shift in adversary tactics toward voice-based phishing, social engineering, and exploitation of unmanaged or poorly monitored devices.
    
   Analyze how these evolving adversary techniques challenge traditional security models. Then, describe how a modern security vendor could adapt its technology, intelligence, and operational approach to counter these threats. In your response, consider:
   • Why voice-based phishing and unmanaged devices are effective for adversaries
   • Gaps in current enterprise security postures that these tactics exploit
   • How emerging technologies (such as AI, behavioral analytics, or identity protection) could be applied to detect or prevent these attacks
   • The role of threat intelligence, user awareness, and platform integration in addressing these challenges

    
   Your answer should reflect strategic thinking about both adversary behavior and defender innovation. (750 word maximum)