National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
Abstract
The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) ensures the Department of Defense (DoD) will have access to high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) personnel vital to national defense now and in the future. NDEP is executed by the STEM Development Office, under the Defense Laboratories Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)). NDEP’s portfolio includes the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) program, the Military Child Pilot Program (MCPP), STEM Education and Outreach, and STEM Operations. These programs provide a pathway to the best and the brightest minds through a continuum of DoD workforce development approaches, which include: (1) increasing STEM proficiency in the Nation’s talent pool by improving the capacity to address ever-changing future Defense workforce needs; (2) shaping the Department as a STEM workplace of choice for scientists and engineers through public communications and outreach; (3) leading the Departmental STEM strategic efforts and coordinating STEM efforts in alignment with the workforce and mission requirements; and (4) identifying approaches for innovative solutions in support of the Nation's current and future defense challenges. NDEP aligns to the DoD Science and Technology (S&T) priorities. It is synchronized with the Federal Five-Year STEM Education Strategic Plan, the DoD STEM Strategic Plan, the DoD Strategic Workforce Plan, and the DoD Agency Strategic Plan. NDEP components engage in assessment and evaluation as outlined by the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office. The SMART program awards highly competitive scholarships-for-service to undergraduate and graduate students in 19 STEM academic disciplines and transitions graduates directly into DoD's workforce following graduation. As part of the SMART experience, scholars engage in internships that allow for broadly relevant hands-on research and work experiences in DoD facilities, thereby enhancing their educational experience. Since its inception as a pilot program in FY 2005, SMART has awarded approximately 2,000 scholarships to students ranging from undergraduate to doctoral studies. To date, approximately 1,350 have completed program studies and approximately 1,100 are currently employed in the DoD workforce. SMART ensures that DoD has a steady infusion of high-quality technical talent, prepared in areas of critical importance to DoD, and ready to apply their technical knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill DoD’s mission. STEM Education and Outreach fosters conditions for activities to support and cultivate STEM talent to build a future force that is representative of the nation’s diverse population and to reach underserved populations to meet national defense needs and future defense challenges. Initiatives include investing, promoting and participating in national-level STEM programs and initiatives, and providing authentic hands-on STEM experiences for students and teachers across the nation. STEM Operations manages activities to implement the Department’s strategic plan for STEM education and outreach. STEM Operations provides program management and oversight, research studies, and official responses to Congressional and non-Congressional inquiries. STEM Operations develops and maintains systems and standards to support STEM policy implementation, oversight, and assessment. Other STEM Operations activities include providing support to STEM education and outreach programs, implementing the Communications Plan, and collaborating across the federal government and public domain through interagency and intradepartmental working groups and partnerships. The MCPP enhances the preparation of dependents of members of the armed forces for careers in STEM and provides assistance to STEM teachers at elementary or secondary schools at which a significant number of military dependents are enrolled. Section 233 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2015, and the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, directed the Secretary of the Defense to establish this Pilot Program. The MCPP will continue to receive support through FY 2020 in accordance with legislative direction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- P120_0601120D8Z_1_0400_PB_2018
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- Root: National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
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- Child Accomplishment: Pilot Program to Enhance the Preparation of Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces for Careers in STEM (Military Child Pilot Program)
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