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.
Since earning her Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) credential in 2014, Edith’s career in digital forensics has reached inspiring heights. With 18 years of law enforcement experience, she later transitioned to the private sector, earning multiple accolades for her achievements.
Grateful for her journey, Edith is giving back to the IACIS community by sponsoring the Digital Forensics Scholarship for Women in Law Enforcement.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship, funded by Edith Santos, covers the registration fee for the IACIS BCFE training in Orlando, Florida.
For the recipient selected to attend the 2026 BCFE Orlando event, we are thrilled to announce that additional donor support has made it possible to provide:
- Up to $3,000 for travel expenses (flight, accommodation, per diem)
- Access to leading digital forensics software packages to support professional growth
Any remining expenses must be covered by the recipient and/or her agency. Additional donor-funded benefits may vary from year to year. For specifics regarding the current award package, applicants may contact the scholarship coordinator (see details below).
Eligibility
Applicant must be female, working in a law enforcement agency (sworn or civilian capacity).
Application Requirements
Applications must include the following, submitted together as a single PDF using the filename format of Surname_First Name.pdf:
- Completed Application Form
- Signed Privacy Statement
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Essay (maximum 500 words) describing career goals and how BCFE training will be beneficial
- Proof of registration for the 2026 BCFE Orlando course
- When registering, applicants may select the “Pay with Invoice/Purchase Order” option. This allows registration without upfront payment. If the applicant is not awarded the scholarship and cannot attend through agency funding, she must notify IACIS to withdraw her registration so the seat can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
- Supervisor letter on agency letterhead confirming:
- Employment with a law enforcement agency
- Approval to be considered for the scholarship
- Confirmation that BCFE training will benefit current or future duties
- Agreement that any costs not covered by the scholarship will be assumed by the agency and/or applicant
Timeline
- Applications accepted: October 1 – November 30, 2025
- Selection made: No later than December 30, 2025
- Notification: All applicants will be informed of their status via email once a selection is made
- Public announcement: January 2026 via IACIS ListServ and IACIS social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram)
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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, 2024, through November 30, 2024. No later than December 30, 2024, 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 2025.
Help a Colleague Grow their Career
Do you have a colleague or know an individual that could benefit from financial support to attend one of our events? We’d love to learn more! Please submit both your contact information and that of your nominee using our form.