SMART Scholarship Program
SMART offers merit-based, full-tuition STEM scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students pursuing degrees in one of the SMART STEM disciplines.
SMART Scholarship Program
SMART offers merit-based, full-tuition STEM scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students pursuing degrees in one of the SMART STEM disciplines.
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), provides a pathway to education and a fulfilling career for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students who are awarded the SMART Scholarship become SMART scholars, joining a dynamic community of driven individuals dedicated to advancing research and innovation in SMART STEM disciplines. They receive comprehensive benefits, including full tuition to any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, annual stipends, summer internships, and civilian employment with the DoD upon graduation, forging a lasting professional network while gaining valuable academic support and hands-on experience.
High school seniors and incoming college freshmen who intend to pursue a degree in one of the SMART STEM disciplines, along with current undergraduate and graduate students already studying in these fields, are invited to apply. For detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit smartscholarship.org.
About the Scholarship
As part of the DoD STEM portfolio, the SMART Scholarship Program provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin a fulfilling civilian career with the DoD. SMART Scholarship recipients receive full tuition to any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, annual stipends that range from $30,000 to $46,000, impactful summer internships at DoD facilities, and civilian employment after graduation. The application period opens annually on August 1 and closes the first Friday in December.
SMART applicants should be pursuing a degree in one of the SMART STEM disciplines:
- Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- 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
Eligibility
SMART Scholarship applicants must:
- Be a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom
- Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Be currently pursuing, or intend to pursue in fall 2026, a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a SMART STEM discipline*
- Planning to attend, or enrolled in, a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Able to obtain and maintain a security clearance**
- Be requesting between 1-5 years of degree funding. Degree funding will start in August 2026
- Complete summer internships for awards greater than 1.5 years
- Accept a one-for-one post-graduation service commitment as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense
*High school seniors and incoming college freshmen who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fall 2026 are eligible to apply.
**Security clearances are initiated by a scholar’s Sponsoring Facility after award.
