Science, Mathematics, And Research For Transformation (SMART) Defense Scholarship Program
Encyclopedia
The Science, Mathematics, And Research For Transformation (SMART) Defense Scholarship Program was tested as a program in 2005 under the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. SMART was fully established by the National Defense Authorization Act
for fiscal year 2006, and was assigned to the Navy Postgraduate School
(NPS)
as the managing agency in late 2005-early 2006.
The SMART scholarship program is a Department of Defense
(DoD) workforce development program created to address the growing gap between America and the rest of the world in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. SMART facilitates this goal by recruiting and retaining some of the best and brightest STEM candidates in the nation.
SMART is a DoD civilian scholarship-for-service program which is a part of the National Defense Education Program (NDEP). Like other NDEP programs, SMART is funded through the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
While these are the minimum requirements, the average GPA is well over 3.0, with the current 2009 cohort year averaging 3.73 on a 4.0 scale.
Students are required to pay back the scholarship by working with the Department of Defense
in a 1-1 year ratio. This work is a paid position within a specific DoD agency.
National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that has been enacted for each of the past 48 fiscal years to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense.-See also:...
for fiscal year 2006, and was assigned to the Navy Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
(NPS)
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
as the managing agency in late 2005-early 2006.
The SMART scholarship program is a Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD) workforce development program created to address the growing gap between America and the rest of the world in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. SMART facilitates this goal by recruiting and retaining some of the best and brightest STEM candidates in the nation.
SMART is a DoD civilian scholarship-for-service program which is a part of the National Defense Education Program (NDEP). Like other NDEP programs, SMART is funded through the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Requirements
The program is open to current and prospective students, including current DoD employees who meet the following requirements:- U.S. citizen
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Pursuing a degree in one of the STEM disciplines
- Able to participate in paid summer internships
- Willing to accept post-graduation employment within the DoDUnited States Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
- Able to attain a SECRET clearanceSecurity clearanceA security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
While these are the minimum requirements, the average GPA is well over 3.0, with the current 2009 cohort year averaging 3.73 on a 4.0 scale.
Benefits
Students who are accepted receive the following benefits:- Full tuition at any accredited college or university within the U.S.
- Annual living allowance of $25,000 (Undergraduate) – 41,000 (Doctorate)
- Paid summer internship (Part of your living allowance, not extra money on top of Annual Living Allowance)
- Health insurance stipend
- Book allowance of $1,000 per academic year
- $1200/week during Summer Internship ONLY if your sponsoring facility is more than 50 miles away from your School's address
- Mentoring by a DoDUnited States Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
sponsoring facility - Post-graduation employment placement within the DoD
Students are required to pay back the scholarship by working with the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
in a 1-1 year ratio. This work is a paid position within a specific DoD agency.
History
Since SMART was officially established in 2006, the program has grown each year. Below are the combined numbers of students awarded scholarships as well as the funding history.| Year | Awards | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 32 | $8.1 million |
| 2007 | 106 | $13.0M |
| 2008 | 178 | $13.8M |
| 2009 | 262 | $34.0M |
| 2010 | 297 | $41.0M |