SMART Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funds the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, a distinctive educational and career development initiative for future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program provides two scholarship options: the SMART Scholarship and the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship (Dellums SMART Scholarship).

The SMART Scholarship is designed for students who are currently attending a college or university or have previously earned college credits. Applicants must have a college transcript from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or will obtain one by the end of the fall term. The SMART Scholarship is also available to those who are pursuing or plan to pursue a graduate degree at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

The Dellums SMART Scholarship is specifically for students who have not earned any college credits and plan to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Eligibility for the Scholarship

• Applicants must be citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2027
• Applicants must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Applicants must be currently pursuing, or plan to pursue in fall 2026, a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a SMART STEM discipline*
• Applicants must plan to attend, or be enrolled in, a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
• Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance**
• Applicants must request between 1-5 years of degree funding, which will commence in August 2026
• Applicants must complete summer internships for awards exceeding 1.5 years
• Applicants must agree to a one-for-one post-graduation service commitment as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense

Both scholarships offer recipients full tuition, annual stipends, health and book allowances, mentorship, and internships at a DoD facility. The first step towards a fulfilling civilian career with the DoD is to review the eligibility criteria for both scholarships, beginning with the 23 SMART STEM disciplines. These disciplines are broad categories, and specific majors or fields of study may fall under one or more disciplines on this list. All applicants should be pursuing a degree in one of SMART’s 23 STEM disciplines.

• Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biosciences
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• 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

It's important to note that non-technical degrees, such as those in management, arts, or humanities, are not eligible for funding through the SMART program.