SMART Scholarship from the DOD

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD). It is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. students to gain technical skills in critical STEM fields and support the national security mission of DoD. SMART is a one-for-one commitment; for every year of degree funding, the scholar commits to working for a year with the DoD as a civilian employee. Summer internships prepare scholars for full-time employment and get them accustomed to working with the DoD.

SMART offers a large package of benefits to qualified candidates:

• 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 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.

Eligibility
All applicants 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, 2021
• able to complete at least one summer internships at a DoD facility,
• requesting at least 1.5 years of degree funding prior to graduation (which starts at the program start date),
• 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 listed on the website,
• able to produce a fall 2020 college transcript from an accredited college or university, OR be pursuing a graduate degree