SMART ScholarshipScience, Mathematics & Research for Transformation
Approved Universities and Duration of Award
SMART scholarships are tenable only at regionally accredited U.S. institutions of higher education offering degrees in scientific areas specified in this announcement; engineering programs must be ABET accredited.
SMART Participants must be enrolled in a full-time accredited program leading to a degree in a field specified in this announcement.
Participants may study or engage in research fieldwork away from the academic institution for which they receive funding upon prior written approval from the SMART Program Office and if, in the judgement of academic or research advisor and DoD mentor the fieldwork furthers the Participant's education and contributes directly to the attainment of the degree funded by the award. The following conditions apply to all requests to engage in fieldwork:
- the Participant must remain officially enrolled in a U.S. academic institution approved by the SMART Program Office;
- the Participant must be earning academic credit toward the degree funded by the Program; and
- No additional funds are provided for field work expenses.
Participants may engage in a study-abroad program upon written approval from the SMART Program Office. SMART will not provide additional funding for travel or additional tuition or fees related to participation in a study-abroad program. Participation in a study-abroad program may be approved if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the study-abroad curriculum must directly contribute to the completion of degree requirements for which the Participant received funding;
- participation in the study-abroad program must not affect the Participant's degree completion, conferral or start of post-graduation service dates;
- participation in the study-abroad program must not affect the Participant's ability to fulfill his/her internship and post-graduation service commitments
- the Participant maintains full-time enrollment status in the U.S. academic institution for which the Participant receives funding; and
- tuition for the study-abroad program is paid directly to the U.S. academic institution for which the Participant receives funding; and
- participation in the study-abroad program must not affect the Participant's eligibility to maintain the security clearance required to complete the internship and/or post-graduation service requirements.
Participants are responsible for providing the SMART Program Office with a written confirmation from his/her academic or research advisor on university letterhead that the study-abroad program satisfies these requirements.
The duration of SMART awards range from one academic term, that being the term just prior to completion, up to five academic years. SMART cannot fund awards for more than five academic years. The length of SMART awards are determined by the degree completion and degree conferral dates set forth in the application and award documents.
