SMART Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation
Overview
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a merit-based scholarship program for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program funds tuition and provides financial support while preparing recipients for careers as civilian employees of the Department of War. SMART supports academic progress through stipends and additional allowances to reduce financial barriers to STEM study. Applicants should confirm eligibility before applying and ensure they intend to pursue an approved STEM discipline.
Description: A competitive, merit-based scholarship program supporting degree completion and civilian employment with the Department of War after graduation.
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing qualifying STEM degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level; eligibility criteria are published on the program site.
Award Value: Awards cover full tuition plus annual stipends, and include allowances for health and books.
- Merit-based support for undergraduate and graduate STEM students
- Financial coverage includes tuition, stipends, and allowances
- Leads to civilian employment with the Department of War after graduation
Building Future Department of War Leaders
SMART is a strategic workforce development initiative that cultivates early-career STEM leaders for the Department of War. The program aligns academic preparation with national technology priorities and helps build a pipeline of talent in critical technical areas. It is the largest education and workforce development effort under the Department of War STEM program. Recipients are placed to contribute to mission-driven research and technology programs across the department.
History of the Award: Established to develop STEM talent for the Department of War, SMART has grown into the department’s principal education-to-career scholarship initiative.
- Focuses on leadership and technical readiness for Department of War missions
- Supports priority technology areas across the department
- Operates as the primary DoW education and workforce development program
Exploring the SMART Program and Eligible STEM Degrees
SMART maintains a defined set of STEM disciplines that determine applicant eligibility; specific majors may map to one or more of these disciplines. In 2023 the program expanded eligibility to include incoming college freshmen with no prior college credit, extending opportunities to high school seniors. Applicants should review the full discipline list to confirm their major aligns with program requirements. The discipline categories are broad and intended to encompass a range of related majors and specializations.
Eligibility: Applicants must be pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree in one of the SMART-designated STEM disciplines listed below.
- Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Data Science and Analytics
- Electrical Engineering
- 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
- Software Engineering
- Discipline list determines eligibility—confirm your major maps to a category
- 2023 expansion added incoming freshmen as eligible applicants
- Categories are broad; review the program guidance for specific major alignment
SMART Application Instructions
The SMART Program accepts applications annually during a defined application window; applicants must submit materials online by the published deadline. All supporting forms and references must be received by the deadline; late submissions are not accepted. Applicants are typically notified of awards in the spring, and submitted application materials are not returned. Review the program guidance and plan your application packet well in advance of the deadline to ensure completeness.
Application Timeline: Applications open annually and must be submitted by the program deadline (applications are due online by 5:00 p.m. EST on the first Friday in December); check the official schedule each year for exact dates.
- Apply online during the annual application window
- All supporting materials, including references, must be received by the deadline
- Award notifications are typically issued in the spring
Important Information to Know Before Applying
Prospective applicants must register to access the SMART Application Portal and complete account authentication before beginning an application. After registration, the program sends an email with login instructions and next steps for account setup. The online application requires every task to be completed before the submit button appears; use the progress bar to track completion. Carefully follow the account setup and application instructions to avoid delays or access issues.
Application Instructions: Create an account, complete the authentication steps, and ensure every application task is finished so the submit option becomes available.
- Register to receive portal access and login instructions by email
- Follow Account Authentication Set Up before attempting to complete the application
- Use the progress bar to monitor completion; all tasks must be finished to submit