Published: 31 Mar 2026 649 views
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of War (DoW), is a unique education and workforce development opportunity for aspiring leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). SMART provides merit-based scholarships to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students pursuing STEM degrees. In 2023, eligibility was expanded to include incoming college freshmen with no prior college credit, extending the opportunity to high school seniors.
SMART Scholarship recipients receive full tuition, annual stipends, mentorship, health and book allowances, and conduct summer internships at a DoW facility before embarking on a DoW civilian career after graduation. The first step to a rewarding STEM career is reviewing the eligibility requirements, starting with 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.
SMART scholars earn annual stipends between $30,000-$46,000 depending on degree level
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Applying for a STEM scholarship? You've come to the right place. This is everything you need to know about the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-For-Service Program Application Process.
To learn more about the eligibility and STEM discipline requirements, visit the Eligibility page. Get started by exploring the SMART Videos page for application tips and overviews.
The SMART Program accepts applications annually from August to December. All applicants are required to submit applications online by 5:00 p.m. EST on the first Friday in December. Supporting materials, such as references forms, must be received by the application deadline. Late applications and references will not be accepted. Traditionally, applicants are notified of their award in the spring. Application materials are not returned to applicants. The following information may be useful in planning and preparing your application packet.
Important Information to Know Before Applying
Applicants need to complete the registration page to ensure eligibility and receive access to the Application Portal. Upon registration, applicants will be sent an email with information on how to login and start the application. Once an account is created, applicants will be directed to the SMART Application. Before logging in, please carefully read the Account Authentication Set Up instructions.
Every task in the application must be complete for the submit button to appear; you can track your progress with the progress bar at the top of the page. The application contains materials to assist you and allows you to monitor your application status.
The SMART Application consists of the following:
More information:
Monitor the status of your application to ensure the SMART Program receives the required references. As previously mentioned, to apply for the SMART Scholarship Program, applicants must click the "Submit Application" button before the application deadline for their applications to be considered.
All responses can be changed before submission. Applicants can save an in-progress application and return to update the application.
For more details, visit U.S. Department of Defense Scholarship Webpage
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