SMART is a scholarship for service program established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the workforce with qualified civilian scientists, researchers, and engineers. The SMART Program offers awards to students pursuing one of the 21 STEM disciplines crucial to national security. Awards include:
- Full tuition and education related educational expenses (meal plans, housing, and parking not included)
- Stipend paid at a rate of $25,000 - $38,000 a year depending on degree level (may be prorated depending on award length)
- Summer research internships ranging from 8 to 12 weeks
- Health Insurance allowance of up to $1,200 per academic year
- Miscellaneous allowance of up to $1,000 per academic year
- An experienced mentor at one of the Sponsoring Facilities
- Employment placement at a DoD facility upon degree completion.
To be eligible, the student must be:
- a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom at time of application,
- 18 years of age or older as of August 1, 2023
- requesting at least 1 year of degree funding prior to graduation (which starts at the program start date),
- able to complete at least one summer internship (multi-year scholars only)
- willing to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD,
- a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale,
- pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines
- able to produce a fall 2022 college transcript from a regionally accredited US college or university, OR be pursuing a graduate degree at a regionally accredited US college or university.
Applications open on August 1 and the deadline to apply is December 1. Applicants will need to complete their application, submit their unofficial transcript, and at least two references, who must submit a letter of recommendation by the December 1 deadline.
More information and a link to the application can be found at their website: https://www.smartscholarship.org
