The SMART scholarship program offers students seeking STEM degrees a combined education and career opportunity that will benefit the Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce.
Level/Field of Study
SMART provides scholarships to undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate students studying in one of the 21 STEM areas. SMART scholars receive complete tuition, annual stipends, and job placement with the Department of Defense after completion.
The program focuses on students pursuing fields vital to the DoD’s national security functions. The following is a list of the 21 STEM disciplines that have been authorized by SMART. These are generic umbrella disciplines; specific applicant majors or courses of study may fall under one or more of these disciplines.
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
- Computer and Computational Sciences and Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Geosciences
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Oceanography
- Operations Research
- Physics
Host Nationality
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and career development program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students financed by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Criteria for SMART Scholarship Program
Applicants must be US citizens, 18 or older, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be available for summer internships at the Department of Defense (DoD), and be willing to take post-graduate work with the DoD. The scholarship covers full tuition, a stipend, a book allowance, and room & board.
Required Supporting Documents to Apply for SMART Scholarship Program
The following are required to complete your application
Deadline for the SMART Scholarship Program
The SMART scholarship program opens yearly from August through December. All applicants must submit their applications online by December 1 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Supporting materials, such as reference letters, must be received by December 1 at 5:00 PM EST. Applicants are usually notified of their prize in the spring. Application materials are not returned to candidates. The following material may be helpful in planning and preparing your application packet.
Application Process for the SMART Scholarship Program
Access to the Application Portal and to confirm eligibility, applicants must complete the registration page. Applicants who register will receive an email with instructions on how to log in and begin the application. Applicants will be taken to the SMART Application Portal after creating an account. Please carefully read the Account Authentication Set Up instructions before attempting to log in.
Scholarship Reward
SMART Scholars are given the resources they need to continue their STEM studies and launch their careers in a prominent civilian role with the Department of Defense (DoD).
- full tuition and all associated costs for education (meal plans, housing, and parking not included)
- Depending on degree level, stipend is paid at a rate of $25,000 to $38,000 annually (may be prorated depending on award length)
- 8 to 12 week research internships throughout the summer
- Up to $1,200 in health insurance reimbursement every academic year
- Up to $1,000 in other expenses every academic year
- One of the Sponsoring Facilities’ seasoned mentor
- After earning a degree, placement at a DoD facility.
FAQ
3.75 is the average GPA for 2022 students. 47% of the recipients of grants were undergraduates, 12% were enrolled in dual Bachelors-Masters degree programs, 14% held master’s degrees, and 27% were pursuing doctoral degrees. Average SAT scores for individuals who took the exam were Critical Reading 669.5, Math 697.2, and Writing 644.
APPLY NOW! Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students pursuing degrees in one of the 21 STEM fields can apply for scholarships from SMART. Full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the DoD are all provided to SMART scholars.
Applicants for the DOD SMART Scholarship must: At the time of application, be a citizen of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. as of August 1, 2022, be at least 18 years old. Request funding for your degree at least a year before you graduate (which starts at the program start date)
Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART)
For STEM students, the Department of Defense (DoD) funds the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, which combines educational and workforce development opportunities.