Apply for the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program 2027/2028 - a U.S. Department of War (DoW) STEM scholarship providing full tuition, an annual stipend of $30,000 - $46,000, summer internships, mentorship, and a guaranteed civilian career pathway after graduation.
SMART awards scholarships to incoming college freshmen, current students, and eligible DoW civilian employees pursuing STEM degrees. Scholars intern at world-class DoW sponsoring facilities, then complete a one-for-one civilian service commitment (one year of employment for each year of funding).
Applications for funding beginning August 2027 close on 4 December 2026 (typically 5:00 p.m. EST). This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official SMART / DoW STEM programme materials. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - SMART Scholarship-for-Service 2027/2028
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | SMART Scholarship-for-Service (DoW STEM) |
| Host Landmark | United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 |
| Levels | Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral STEM degrees |
| Tuition | Full tuition at any regionally accredited U.S. college/university (1 - 5 years; no tuition cap stated) |
| Annual stipend | Bachelor’s $30,000 · Master’s $40,000 · Doctoral $46,000 |
| Extras | $1,000/year miscellaneous school expenses · $2,500/year health-related offset |
| Internship | 8 - 12 week summer internship at a DoW Sponsoring Facility (required for awards > 1.5 years) |
| Service | One year of DoW civilian employment per year of funding (not military enlistment) |
| Deadline | 4 December 2026 (5:00 p.m. EST typical) |
| Official Gateway | SMART application registration · smartscholarship.org |
Benefits
- Full tuition and related educational fees at a regionally accredited U.S. institution (1 - 5 years of funding requested)
- Monthly stipend payments ($30,000 / $40,000 / $46,000 per year by degree level)
- $1,000 annual allowance for books/supplies and $2,500 annual health-related offset
- Paid summer internship (8 - 12 weeks) at a DoW Sponsoring Facility
- Mentorship from scientists, engineers, or researchers at the sponsoring facility
- Guaranteed DoW civilian career pathway after graduation (service commitment)
Eligibility
- Citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom
- Age 18+ by 1 January 2028
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (and maintain it)
- Currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, education in Fall 2027 (including high school seniors / incoming freshmen for bachelor’s study)
- Planning to attend or enrolled in a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Able to obtain and maintain a security clearance (initiated by the Sponsoring Facility after award)
- Requesting 1 - 5 years of degree funding beginning August 2027
- Complete summer internships for awards longer than 1.5 years
- Willing to accept the one-for-one post-graduation civilian service commitment with the DoW
- Pursuing an eligible technical STEM discipline on the official SMART list
Application Tips
- Review application instructions on the official SMART site.
- Research and rank Sponsoring Facilities carefully - alignment with facility mission matters.
- Prepare résumé, letters of recommendation, personal statements, transcripts, and facility preferences.
- Register and submit via the SMART application portal before 4 December 2026.
- Semi-finalists may be interviewed by potential sponsoring facilities; awardees are typically notified in spring (e.g. April), with cohort start around May/June.
Official Links
SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program (official)
Apply / create SMART application account
SMART scholarship opportunities & facilities
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) 2026
- CCAI Foster Youth Internship Program 2027
- Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027
- Global Leadership Dialogue 2027
- Browse all Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
4 December 2026 (applications typically close at 5:00 p.m. EST on the first Friday in December). Confirm the exact cut-off on smartscholarship.org.
Is tuition fully covered?
Yes - full tuition at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university for the funded period (1 - 5 years), plus stipend and allowances.
Do I have to join the military?
No. After graduation you serve as a DoW civilian employee at your Sponsoring Facility (one year of service per year of funding).
Who can apply?
Citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or UK who meet age, GPA, STEM major, U.S. accredited-school, clearance, and service-commitment rules for Fall 2027 funding.
Where do I apply?
Through the official portal: smartscholarship.org application registration.
