SMART Scholarship Program

The SMART (Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation) Scholarship for Service Program provides full tuition coverage at any regionally accredited U.S. university plus annual stipends of $30,000-$46,000 to students in critical STEM fields. Scholars complete paid summer internships at DoD laboratories and facilities and then serve as civilian DoD employees after graduation. The program is designed to build the DoD's STEM workforce pipeline. The application period opens annually on August 1.

Open to citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom who are pursuing undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degrees in one of 24 eligible STEM disciplines. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance and commit to employment with the DoD after graduation.

Applicants must request at least one year of degree funding prior to graduation, complete at least one summer internship at a DoD facility (for multi-year scholars), and fulfill a post-graduation service commitment equal to the length of scholarship support. Applications are submitted through the SMART Scholarship portal between August 1 and early December.