CAE-CD & CyberAI Mentor and Peer Reviewer Workshop

The CAE Candidates National Center (CCNC), in collaboration with the CAE Peer Review National Center (PRNC), is pleased to announce an upcoming in-person CAE-CD and CAE-CyberAI Mentor & Peer Reviewer Workshop hosted at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

The CCNC will be offering a limited number of Mentor and Peer Reviewer contracts for 2026–2027. Because participation in this workshop is by invitation only, please do not share or distribute this invitation.

Workshop Details

Dates: November 4–5, 2026
Location: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

Please review the workshop details below before registering.

Travel Support: Limited travel funding is available for approved participants. Please wait for written travel approval before making any travel arrangements.

Participation Stipend: Eligible participants who attend the full workshop may receive a participation stipend. Eligibility requirements are provided below.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for individuals who currently serve—or are interested in serving—as:

• CAE Mentors
• Pre-Submission Reviewers (PSRs)
• Peer Reviewers

Participants will receive hands-on training and practical guidance on conducting Pre-Submission Reviews and Peer Reviews using current CAE program requirements, review procedures, and evaluation templates.

Participants Will:

• Review CAE-CD and CAE-CyberAI application requirements and reviewer expectations
• Practice conducting Pre-Submission Reviews and Peer Reviews
• Discuss common issues identified during the review process
• Improve consistency and quality across the CAE review process
• Receive updates on the NCAE application process and CCNC resources
• Receive training on the newly developed and piloted CAMS application workbench

Individuals who successfully complete the training may be considered for inclusion on the active CAE Mentor and Peer Reviewer roster based on program needs.

Workshop Agenda

Meals and Refreshments: A working lunch will be provided each day. Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, beverages, and any additional snacks.

Day 1 – November 4, 2026

CAE-CD and CAE-CyberAI Workshop

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Program of Study Validation for Cyber Defense and CAE-CyberAI

12:00–1:00 p.m.
Working Lunch, NCyTE Presentation, and Networking Activity

1:00–4:00 p.m.
CAE-CD Requirements, CAE-CyberAI Requirements, and Application Tool Demonstration

Day 2 – November 5, 2026

9:00–10:30 a.m.
Mentor and Pre-Submission Review Training

10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Peer Review Training and Hands-On Peer Review Assignments

12:00–2:00 p.m.
Working Lunch, Hands-On Peer Review, and Group Discussion

Travel Funding and Participation Stipend Eligibility

Limited travel support and participation stipends may be available for approved attendees, subject to federal grant requirements and available funding.

To be considered, participants must:

• Have directly contributed to their institution's successful attainment of a CAE-CD or CAE-CAI designation
• Be legally eligible to receive payment from a U.S. Department of Defense-funded grant within the United States
• Be able to complete a valid IRS Form W-9 and Direct Deposit Authorization Form
• Be able to enter into a contractual agreement with Whatcom Community College, if required

Participation stipends are available only to eligible individuals who attend the full workshop.

Registration and Travel Requests

Registration Deadline: October 12, 2026

Participants must complete workshop registration and submit any travel funding requests by this date.

Important:

• Please wait for written travel approval before making any travel arrangements.
• Participants should bring their own laptop for workshop activities.

Travel funding requests should be submitted to:

Emma Graves
CAE Candidates National Center
EGraves@whatcom.edu

Stephen Troupe
Director, CAE Candidates National Center
STroupe@whatcom.edu

Confidentiality and Participation Requirements

By registering for and attending this workshop, participants acknowledge that the training is intended to prepare individuals to serve as CAE Mentors, Pre-Submission Reviewers, and Peer Reviewers.

Participants may be granted access to institutional application materials and review documentation containing sensitive program information. Any information reviewed during training or future review activities must remain confidential and may not be shared outside the authorized CAE review process.

Participants requesting travel funding or a participation stipend affirm that they meet all eligibility requirements necessary to receive payment from a U.S. Department of War-funded grant, including the ability to complete a valid IRS Form W-9 and enter into a contractual agreement with Whatcom Community College, if required.

Additional Information

• Mentors and Peer Reviewers are eligible to receive one Mentor & Peer Reviewer workshop participation stipend per calendar year.
• Attendance is by invitation only.
• Please do not distribute this announcement without permission.

Stephen Troupe
Director, CAE Candidates National Center
STroupe@whatcom.edu

The CAE Candidates National Center is funded by the Department of War (DoW) Award #HQ0034251E016 and the National Security Agency (NSA) Grant #H98230-26-1-0026. The views expressed are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of Whatcom Community College, the NSA, the DoW, or the U.S. Government.