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Miles Johnson had always been fascinated by the role cybersecurity plays in national defense and was eager to pursue a career in the government sector, but the steps to achieve that goal weren’t clear. One afternoon, while checking emails, he came across a flyer for the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC).

“As I learned more about working for the Department of Defense (DoD) and what the DCTC scholarship entails, I knew the opportunity aligned perfectly with my aspirations,” said Johnson, a third-year computer science student at North Carolina A&T State University.

Johnson applied and was accepted into the program, becoming a member of DCTC’s Cohort ’26.

“It truly feels like a dream come true,” he said. “My goal is to work at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Being a DCTC scholar will provide me with the opportunity to collaborate with countless subject-matter experts, access cutting-edge facilities, and contribute to projects that impact the lives of everyday citizens.”

Launched in August 2023, DCTC integrates scholarships, a tailored curriculum, and hands-on experience to help undergraduate students combine their passion for business, law, policy, and STEM with real-world experiences that lead to impactful careers within the DoD acquisition mission. The two-year multidisciplinary program includes full tuition, stipends, a project-based summer internship, mentorship, help obtaining security clearances, and employment with the DoD.

DCTC’s newest group of scholars, Cohort ’26, stands out not only for its size—100 scholars, up from 85 last year, representing four universities (North Carolina A&T State University, Purdue University, The University of Arizona, and Virginia Tech)—but also for the revised selection process used to identify top talent.

“This year, our selection process focused on the DoD’s critical skill gaps, identified through research and market surveys with the organizations we partner with,” explained Acquisition Innovation Research Center (AIRC) Fellow Karen Thornton. “We asked applicants to demonstrate how their fields of study align with these needs, ensuring they are not only passionate about public service but also prepared to make an immediate impact during their internships and meet DoD workforce needs on day one.”

Another significant difference is their service obligation to the DoD. Unlike Cohort ’25, these scholars are required to fulfill a two-year service commitment with the DoD after graduation, “making the selection of a strong fit crucial for both retention and success,” noted Thornton.

The updated selection process has produced a dynamic cohort, blending diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines, including business information technology, liberal arts, political science, international relations, psychology, and STEM fields. Of these scholars, 31% are women, and 46% come from underrepresented groups.

One scholar, Rahil Ross, a cybersecurity management and analytics major with a minor in Spanish at Virginia Tech, views DCTC as a direct path to shaping the future. “I was motivated to apply to the DCTC program by my desire to have a meaningful career and the prospect of having a job secured far before graduation,” said Ross. “DCTC provides me the pathway to create meaningful change in the mission of the United States and its effect on the world.” He also emphasized how the range of opportunities within the DoD has exceeded his expectations. “I went into this scholarship comparing it closely to what an ROTC has to offer, but this opportunity is bigger than I could have even imagined.”

For scholars like Pranav Perumal, a junior studying computer science and artificial intelligence at Purdue University, the program’s applied experience is vital to their development. “Through the classroom, I learn about the bureaucratic policies that affect the big projects we’re assigned,” said Perumal, who aims to work with the National Security Agency (NSA), and credits DCTC and NSA recruiters at Purdue’s career fair for opening doors for him. “But through hands-on experience, I learn about what I’ll be doing day to day, and it helps me understand my role in the broader defense community.”

As DCTC continues to evolve, scholars are keen to express pride in the program. After just a few months, scholars in Cohort ’26 are already participating in on-campus job fairs, acting as ambassadors, and sitting down with their near peers to share the benefits of DCTC. This initiative is partly due to their attendance at the inaugural DCTC Scholar Showcase in Washington, D.C., last summer, which has put them “leaps and bounds” ahead of their predecessors. “They’re already trying to find their own internships,” said Andrea Dame, a senior project manager on the DCTC team. “They are motivated and geared to go.”

There are also several new initiatives in the pipeline, including a podcast series in collaboration with Defense Acquisition University, which will cover the entire lifecycle of the DCTC program. Additionally, scholars have been invited to speak at Nexus 2025, a conference hosted by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) focused on culture change in acquisition. “They will be featured in the NCMA magazine centerfold, which is exciting because it highlights the future of the workforce,” said Dame, who is prepping the scholars for their big interview. “The program is blowing up, and our scholars are getting amazing exposure and opportunities—especially considering they’re only juniors in college.”

As these initiatives progress and new professional development opportunities emerge, the scholars’ excitement for their future abounds.

“This exposure to the diverse range of locations, roles, and organizations within the DoD has only deepened my excitement,” Johnson said, “and strengthened my resolve to build a lifelong career here.”

Follow AIRC on LinkedIn for updates on acquisition research and DCTC on LinkedIn and the DCTC Scholars Blog for updates on the pilot program.