About the Scholarship
Edith Santos began her career at a small law enforcement agency that lacked the resources to send her to the IACIS Basic Computer Forensic Examiner (BCFE) training in Orlando. Determined to pursue her goal, she persisted until her agency supported her attendance.
After earning her Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) credential in 2014, Edith continued to build an accomplished career in digital forensics. With 18 years of law enforcement experience, she later transitioned to the private sector and earned multiple accolades for her achievements.
Grateful for her journey and the opportunities that helped shape her career, Edith created the Digital Forensics Scholarship for Women in Law Enforcement to help other women overcome financial barriers to advanced digital forensics training.
Edith committed to funding BCFE tuition for one scholarship recipient each year for five years. Her generosity and vision inspired additional donors to pay it forward, expanding the scholarship’s reach and impact. Although Edith’s original five-year full-tuition commitment concluded in 2026, she remains a dedicated supporter of the scholarship and continues to contribute alongside other generous donors.
Scholarship Benefits
Thanks to the generosity of Edith Santos and additional donors who support this mission, the recipient selected to attend the BCFE Orlando event will receive:
- Full registration for the IACIS Basic Computer Forensic Examiner (BCFE) training in Orlando, Florida
- Hotel accommodations for the training event
- Access to select digital forensics software and/or professional development opportunities, when available through donor support
Expenses not specifically covered by the scholarship, including airfare, meals, and incidentals, are the responsibility of the recipient and/or her agency.
Scholarship benefits are made possible through donor support and may vary from year to year. Applicants may contact the scholarship coordinator for details regarding the current award package.
Eligibility
Applicants must be female and employed by a law enforcement agency in either a sworn or civilian capacity.
Application Requirements
Applications must include the following documents, combined and submitted as a single PDF using the filename format: Surname_First Name.pdf
- Completed Application Form
- Signed Privacy Statement
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Essay of no more than 500 words describing the applicant’s career goals and how BCFE training will benefit her professional development and/or agency
- Proof of registration for the BCFE Orlando course
- When registering, applicants may select the Pay with Invoice/Purchase Order option, allowing registration without upfront payment.
- If an applicant is not selected for the scholarship and is unable to attend using agency or other funding, she must promptly notify IACIS to withdraw her registration so the seat may be made available to another attendee.
- Supervisor letter on agency letterhead confirming:
- Employment with a law enforcement agency
- Approval for the applicant to be considered for the scholarship
- Confirmation that BCFE training will benefit the applicant’s current or future duties
- Agreement that any expenses not covered by the scholarship will be assumed by the agency and/or applicant
Timeline
- Applications accepted: October 1 – November 30
- Selection made: No later than December 30
- Notification: All applicants will be informed of their status via email once a selection is made
- Public announcement: January via IACIS ListServ and IACIS social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram)
How to Apply
All documents should be combined and submitted as a single PDF document and named in the following manner: Surname_First Name.pdf. Applications will be accepted from October 1 through November 30. No later than December 30, a selection will be made from eligible and vetted applications. All Applicants will be informed of their status via e-mail as soon as a selection is made. The name and agency of the scholarship recipient will be announced in IACIS’ ListServ and social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) in January of the following year.
Download the application and follow the instructions to email it to LEAWomenScholarship@iacis.com.