THE SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND RESEARCH FOR TRANSFORMATION (SMART) SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE PROGRAM

The SMART Scholarship Program was established by Congress as a means to strengthen the DoD science and technology workforce with highly skilled science and engineering professionals. This unique and prestigious program provides scholarships, which include tuition and stipend support to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in the technical fields listed in the overview of the funding opportunity. While in school, participants perform research as summer interns at DoD laboratories and return to those laboratories after graduation to complete a period of obligated employment service. This provides scholars with a unique opportunity to perform research in their respective area of interest that they would not have otherwise been able to do. The post-graduation employment commitment is equal to or greater than the amount of time the student received scholarship funding under this program. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OASD(R&E))/Research Directorate (RD) manages the SMART Scholarship Program and to carry out its mission in support of these programs, OASD(R&E)/RD requires a recipient to collaborate effectively with the SMART Scholarship Program in achieving the four (4) fundamental elements listed below. There are four (4) fundamental elements to the successful administration of the SMART Program. These elements are as follows: 1. Cooperatively, with the SMART Program Office, assist in the administration of the program to include, but not limited to, the application cycle, monitoring and interaction with students during academic pursuit, monitoring of scholars upon graduation, hiring tracking, web site development and maintenance, and individual Service SMART program facilitation. 2. In close collaboration with the SMART Program, develop and maintain a SMART Information Management System that will track, update, and maintain all SMART Program data. 3. Develop and implement an annual marketing and outreach plan, in conjunction with the SMART Program, that supports colleges and universities on behalf of the SMART Program 4. Assist the SMART Program with payment of scholar's tuition, stipends, and other expenses on behalf of the Government