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
For over 20 years, SMART has awarded merit-based, full-tuition STEM scholarships for thousands of 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 War (DoW), 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 DoW 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 encouraged to apply. For detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit smartscholarship.org.
About the Scholarship
As part of the DoW STEM portfolio, the SMART Scholarship Program provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin an impactful civilian career with the DoW. 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, hands-on summer internships at DoW facilities, and civilian employment after graduation. The application period opens annually on August 1 and closes the first Friday in December.
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 2027, a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a SMART STEM discipline
- Plan to attend, or enrolled in, a regionally accredited U.S. college or university*
- Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance**
- Be requesting between 1-5 years of degree funding. Degree funding will start in August 2027
- 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 War
*High school seniors and incoming college freshmen who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fall 2027 are eligible to apply.
**Security clearances are initiated by a scholar’s Sponsoring Facility after award.
SMART STEM Disciplines
SMART applicants should be pursuing a degree in one of the SMART STEM Disciplines.
These disciplines are general categories – specific majors or fields of study may fall under one or more disciplines on this list. All scholarship applicants should be pursuing, or intend to pursue, a degree in one of these disciplines.
- 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
SMART Contact Information
Email: smart@smartscholarship.org
Phone: (571) 633-7940
Office hours:
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Office is closed on all U.S. federal holidays.
