SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program
Offered by U.S. Department of Defense
About This Scholarship
SMART (Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation) is the Department of Defense's scholarship-for-service program: full tuition at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, an annual stipend of $30,000 to $46,000, paid summer internships at DoD facilities, and guaranteed civilian DoD employment after graduation. Launched as a pilot in 2005 and made permanent by the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, it has awarded thousands of scholarships since and stands as one of the Department's largest workforce development initiatives.
The catch is real but transparent: you owe one year of civilian DoD service for every year of funding, and you can request one to five years. For students who want a debt-free STEM degree with a locked-in first job, few programs match it.
The award is open to students pursuing bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in the program's approved STEM disciplines. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance — plan for that vetting. Applications open August 1 each year and close the first Friday in December, so the current cycle opens August 1, 2026 with a December 4 deadline.
Eligibility
- Citizen of the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom (most positions require U.S. citizenship for clearance)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the approved STEM disciplines at an accredited U.S. school
- Able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, and willing to accept post-graduation DoD employment (one year per year funded)
How To Apply
- Start an application at smartscholarship.org after it opens August 1
- Complete essays, transcripts, and reference forms inside the portal
- Submit by 5 p.m. ET on the first Friday in December (December 4, 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DoD job after graduation optional?
No. SMART is a scholarship-for-service program — accepting the award commits you to one year of civilian Department of Defense employment for each year of funding you receive.
How much is the stipend on top of tuition?
Between $30,000 and $46,000 per year depending on your degree level, in addition to full tuition, book allowances, and paid summer internships at DoD facilities.