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Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) is a DoD Scholarship Program for STEM Students

www.smartscholarship.org

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students. SMART offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students pursuing a STEM degree. Scholarship recipients receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. Applications are open annually from August 1-December 1.

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program is a scholarship-for-service program designed to produce the next generation of DoD S&T Leaders and serves as key recruitment tool for future workforce members.

The SMART Scholarship application portal will open August 1, 2023, and close on December 1, 2023, for students to apply for the 2024 cohort. All applicants are required to submit applications online by December 1 at 5:00 PM EST. Supporting materials, such as references letters, must be received by December 1 at 5:00 PM EST. Traditionally, applicants are notified of their award in the spring. Application materials are not returned to applicants.

Student Scholar Benefits:
  • Full tuition and education related fees (does not include items such as meal plans, housing, or parking)
  • Annual stipend paid at a rate of $25,000 - $38,000 per year, depending on prior educational experience
  • Summer internships (multi-year participants)
  • Experienced Mentor
  • DoD Employment placement after graduation
Student eligibility requirements:
  • 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 listed below,
  • Able to produce a fall 2023 college transcript from a regionally accredited US college or university OR be pursuing a graduate degree at a regionally accredited US college or university.

Active-duty military members who wish to apply for the SMART Scholarship must be separated or on terminal leave on or before August 1, 2024 to be eligible. Reserve and National Guard members are eligible to apply. Current ROTC participants with a future service commitment are not eligible to apply.

***NEW THIS YEAR***
Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship
About the Dellums SMART Scholarship

In 2023, the SMART Program expanded the scholarship program eligibility by introducing the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship (Dellums SMART Scholarship). To honor the lifetime work of Representative Dellums, Congress established the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship, with the goal to increase participation of underrepresented students in the DoD STEM workforce. This opportunity expands the SMART scholarship opportunity to rising college freshmen who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in one of the 24 SMART STEM disciplines. High school seniors are eligible to apply for the Dellums SMART Scholarship.

Students seeking to attend a Historically Black College and University, Minority Institution, or Minority Serving Institution are particularly encouraged to apply. The Dellums SMART Scholarship is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.

The application is open annually from August 1 to December 1.

What are Benefits of the Dellums SMART Scholarship?
  • Full tuition
  • $30,000 annual stipend
  • Summer internships
  • Experienced mentor
  • Book and health allowance
  • Civilian Department of Defense employment
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
  • U.S. Citizen,
  • 18 Years or older by the completion of student’s first college term,
  • Rising freshman pursing a bachelor’s degree in, or closely related to, one of the SMART STEM disciplines,
  • Graduated high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA,
  • Maintain a college/university 3.0 GPA,
  • Ability to complete summer internships,
  • Obtain and maintain a security clearance,
  • Accept full-time Civilian employment with the Department of Defense, after graduation.

If a student can produce a college transcript, they are not eligible for the Dellums SMART Scholarship, but may be eligible for the SMART Scholarship. To learn more and check your eligibility, visit the Eligibility page.

Learn More

To see answers to commonly asked questions, visit the FAQ page. Still have more questions on the Dellums SMART Scholarship? Email SMART at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For those eligible to apply for either scholarship, the application can be found at www.smartscholarship.org.