Department of Defense SMART Scholarship

This scholarship is listed by UTSA’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, which supports current UTSA students on the undergraduate and graduate levels to apply to opportunities outside of UTSA. Students are encouraged to work with the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards and Fellowships as early as possible to discuss the application process. While some applications are short, drafting application materials for major awards may take months of preparation, and application materials should reflect this high level of preparation. Please note that we do not advise students on other scholarship opportunities listed on the scholarship hub outside of the “External” section.

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) upon degree completion.

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program was established as a concentrated effort to enhance the Department of Defense (DoD) workforce with talented, innovative and brilliant scientists, engineers and researchers. For over a decade, SMART Scholars have been working within labs and agencies of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Additional DoD to support the warfighter and create an impact to secure our nation.

SMART Scholars enter the program to pursue their education in some of the leading STEM fields currently in high demand by the United States Government. The program offers scholarships for bachelors, masters and PhD students pursuing STEM. While in school, students will receive full tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance and book allowances, as well as summer internships that range from 8 to 12 weeks. Upon degree completion, scholars begin working in a civilian position with their sponsoring facility. The internships and work experience allow scholars the opportunity to learn from the greatest minds in STEM and defense. Not only do scholars pursue their passions in their respective field during their educational phase, but they begin a journey towards an empowering career to protect national security.

Eligibility Requirements:
a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom at time of application,
18 years of age or older as of August 1, 2020
able to complete at least one summer internships at a DoD facility,
willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD,
a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
requesting at least 1.5 years of degree funding prior to graduation (which starts at the program start date)

Applicants MUST be pursuing a technical degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines listed below. Technical degrees include programs specializing in science, mathematics and engineering (as listed in the 21 approved disciplines). Non-technical degrees include management, arts or humanities degrees that are not approved or funded by SMART. Students pursuing technical degrees related to the following are encouraged to apply:

Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Biosciences
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
Computer and Computational Sciences and Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Geosciences
Industrial and Systems Engineering (technical tracks only)
Information Sciences
Materials Science and Engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Oceanography
Operations Research (technical tracks only)
Physics

Additional requirements:
Scholarships are awarded for a minimum of 1.5 years and a maximum of 5 years of funding.

*Undergraduate applicants must be currently enrolled in a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and have a high school diploma/GED. Current high school students are not eligible to apply.

**Graduate applicants can be either currently enrolled in a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or awaiting notification of admission to such. If awaiting admission, you must be accepted for entrance in the fall 2020 term.

*Students who are currently freshman or enrolled in a First Year Associate’s Program must report an ACT or SAT Reasoning Test Score. Subject tests are not required. In addition, individuals who apply during their Freshman/First Year must obtain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale during the fall academic term of their Freshman/First Year. Freshman/First Year Associate’s Program applicants will be required to submit an official transcript reflecting their fall academic term grades to establish compliance with this requirement.

**Graduate applicants must have taken the GRE and test scores must be reportable by ETS. Subject tests are not required.

Deadline: Each year the application portal opens on August 1.

Interested applicants should visit the website below for the scholarship to learn more about the award. If you plan to apply to this specific program and would like application support, please contact Andrew Chapman of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards by filling out the following intake form. Please do not submit this intake form to inquire about other awards listed in the Scholarship Hub.