Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program
Abstract
SMART is a scholarship-for-service program that provides support to high performing U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in 19 academic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines identified as areas of future workforce needed by DoD. The disciplines align with the Department’s Science and Technology (S&T) priorities and emerging scientific research areas, and include: Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering; Biosciences; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences; Computer Science; 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; and Physics. Upon completion of their degree, students fulfill a service commitment to the Department on a one-to-one payback per year of education funded. In part, SMART's success is measured by participants that choose to remain in the DoD workforce beyond their required service commitment. Approximately 1,100 participants have successfully completed the program through their DoD Service commitment, of which 74 percent of those participants are still employed by DoD. Oversight of the SMART program falls under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)). Two types of individuals participate in the program: (1) retention scholars who are current DoD employees; and (2) recruitment scholars who are college students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs and represent new talent for the Department. Internships provide SMART scholars with an opportunity to engage in relevant hands-on research and work experiences in defense laboratories, thereby enhancing their educational experience. Since FY 2005, approximately 2,400 students have participated in the SMART program at approximately 160 sponsoring facilities. As of August 2016, approximately 1,350 SMART scholars have transitioned into the service commitment phase. To date, these scholars have transitioned as civilian employees into the Air Force, Army, Navy, and other DoD components.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 98c1c70dd0a9412d29748b91739549dd