The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students. Recipients commit to working one year in the federal government for each year of funding awarded.
Deadline: December
Value: Cash stipends are paid at a rate of $25,000 - $38,000 per year depending on degree level; Tuition and related educational fees will be paid directly to recipient's university by Scholarship America.
Eligibility: Citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom at time of application; 18 or older by January 1 of the year you begin your internship or employment; Requesting at least 1 year of degree funding prior to graduation (which starts at the program start date); Able to complete at least one summer internship (multi-year scholars only); Willing to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD; In good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; Pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines listed below; Able to produce a fall college transcript from a regionally accredited US college or university, OR be pursuing a graduate degree at a regionally accredited US college or university.
Major: STEM
Fellowship Type: Undergraduate, Graduate
91ÖÆƬ³§ Supported Award: The Office of National Fellowships offers information sessions/handouts and/or other programming to assist you with your application.
Nomination: No, but applicants are strongly encouraged to work with the Office of National Fellowships on their applications.
Website:
SMART Application Deadline
- National Deadline: December 4, 2026, 5pm EST
SMART Recommended Steps and Timeline
- By October 9, 2026:
- Familiarize yourself with the and begin reviewing
- and enter the basic information into your account
- Make a list of the professors/advisors/mentors you will request references/letters of recommendation from 
- By October 16, 2026:
- Complete a FERPA form to order your transcripts through the Fellowships Office
- Ask your three recommenders if they are willing to write letters for your SMART application
- Identify your 2-3 preferred
- By October 23, 2026:
- Look at your resume and make any tweaks to emphasize STEM experience (research, internships, etc.) and to highlight your leadership, community engagement, and teamwork skills
- Draft your community/volunteer work, leadership, and teamwork experiences in a word document and send to Fellowships Office (national.fellowships@unh.edu) to review
- By October 30, 2026: Start drafting the Personal Statement and send draft to Fellowships Office to review
- December 3, 2026: Submit all materials to allow for sufficient upload time ahead of the National Application Deadline.
- Note: Applicants should notify the Fellowships Office that you have submitted!
- December 4, 2026: NATIONAL DEADLINE
- January/February: If you receive a notification that you are a semi-finalist, reach out to the Fellowships office to discuss interview preparation!
