Workforce, College, and Career Opportunities

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students.

SMART Mission: To recruit, educate, employ, and foster the development of the future DoD civilian STEM workforce through scholarships and lasting partnerships with academic institutions, STEM education ecosystems, and DoD laboratories and agencies.

SMART Vision: To develop pathways for a diverse, technically proficient, and innovative talent pool needed to maintain the technological edge of a DoD workforce ready to meet U.S. national security needs

The SMART Program, part of the Department of Defense (DoD) science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) portfolio, provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin a rewarding career with the DoD. With a full scholarship, students pursuing STEM degrees will be able to focus on complex research to further the DoD's mission and create a lasting impact. Summer internships are performed at DoD facilities alongside scientists and engineers; these experiences prepare scholars for full-time employment and get them accustomed to working with the DoD. SMART is a one-for-one commitment; for every year of degree funding, the scholar commits to working for a year with the DoD as a civilian employee. 

The DoD Civilian workforce is responsible for solving our Nation's most complex challenges by developing the next generation of defense technologies.
 

1. Recruitment Scholars: Most SMART Scholarships are recruitment awards. Recruitment scholars are those who are not employed in a permanent DoD civilian position by a SMART Sponsoring Facility at the time of award.
2. Dellums Scholars: Dellums scholars are applicants with no previous college credit, who are seeking to begin their bachelor’s degree and are awarded the Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship. Students from historically Black colleges and universities and minority serving institutions are particularly encouraged to apply.
3. Retention Scholars: Retention scholars are individuals who receive a SMART Scholarship and are employed in a full-time, permanent, or renewable term, DoD civilian position by a SMART Sponsoring Facility at the time of award. Retention scholars will remain employed by their Sponsoring Facility while pursuing their SMART-funded degree and fulfill their service commitment there.

Visit the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program website to learn more about recruitment and retention scholarships: https://www.smartscholarship.org/. The deadline for all applications is 6 December 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST.