The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Individuals applying to the program should have a strong interest in working for the DoD as a civilian research scientist or engineer. There is a post-graduation service requirement. 

If selected, an awardee is assigned to the DoD laboratory where they will serve as a summer intern and complete a period of post-graduation employment service as a DoD civilian. Awardees sign the SMART Service Agreement, confirming their understanding that the employment obligation to the DoD civilian Science and Technology workforce upon graduation is a one-to-one commitment. For each academic year of a participant's award, they are required to commit to one year (12 months) of civilian employment with the DoD.

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Who Should Apply?

Applicants should be majoring in a STEM discipline and have a strong interest in working for the DoD as a civilian research scientist or engineer.

To be eligible, you must:

• be eighteen years or older by the start of the program (August 1 of program year)
• be a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom at time of application
• be able to participate in 8-12 week summer internships at DoD laboratories
• be willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD
• be a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the supported disciplines
• be either currently enrolled in a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or awaiting notification
• (graduate applicants only) have taken the GRE and test scores must be reportable by ETS

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How to Apply

There is no required campus endorsement or application process for DoD SMART, but Drexel applicants are encouraged to seek support on their application from fellowships advisors. Fill out the Fellowship Interest Form to request advising.

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More Information

For official information on DoD SMART (which supersedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please visit the DoD SMART Scholarship website.

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Related Awards:

Undergraduate: Goldwater Scholarship

Graduate: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP); Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship; National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)

Last updated: November 2022