SMART Scholarship Program
ASEE SMART Scholarship Program Team
http://www.asee.org/smart/
Underlying Questions
•
How can the Department of Defense (DoD) recruit
top science and technology (S&T) students?
•
How can the DoD better attract students in specific
fields to pursue advanced degrees?
•
How can the DoD fill holes in a workforce that has:
– 30% eligible for retirement within 5 years;
– 60% eligible within next 10 years?
2
What is SMART?
•
SMART is a DoD workforce development program
•
The goals of SMART:
– Provide funding to allow Participants to focus on school
– Provide Participants with experience and exposure to DoD
facilities and the DoD culture prior to graduation
– Start the process that will produce the next S&T leaders
•
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
– Manages the application process for SMART
– Provides the mechanism for Participant payments
Participant Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Full tuition and fees (up to five years) for AS, BS, MS,
and PhD degrees
Annual cash award from $25,000 to $38,000
Security clearance (SECRET)
Summer internships and travel expenses
An experienced Mentor
Book and health insurance allowance
Post-graduation employment
Service Commitment: One-Year of Work for Each Academic Year Funded
Approved Fields of Study
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aeronautical and Astronautical
Engineering
Biosciences
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Cognitive, Neural, and
Behavioral Science
Electrical Engineering
Geosciences
Information Sciences










Materials Science and
Engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Naval Architecture
Nuclear Engineering
Ocean Engineering
Oceanography
Operations Research
Physics
Industrial and Systems Engineering
We will support interdisciplinary programs that overlap these fields
5
Application Process
•
Application Process
– Web-based (http://smart.asee.org)
– Open season is August 1 through December 14
•
Applicant Requirements
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
United States citizen/18 years of age
Status as a sophomore or beyond at award
Ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance
Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Complete 10-12 week summer internships
Current enrollment or have taken GRE
Approved field of study with an interest in research
6
The SMART Process
Application
Selection
Awards
Orientation
Hiring
Graduation
Internship
School
Selection Process
•
SMART Selection Panel meets in late January
– Representatives from DoD and Academia
– Panel selects the top 50%
– Top 50% are submitted to the DoD facilities
•
DoD facility representatives select the Participants
– They will conduct interviews (call, VTC, face-to-face, etc.)
– Selections based on degree, field of study, school, etc.
•
Awards are made to those selected by the DoD
facilities in April
Orientation to Hiring
•
Academic Performance/Requirements
– Must maintain above a 3.0 GPA
– Submit transcripts and an annual educational work plan
•
Internships
– Participate in annual summer internships
– 10 to 12 weeks in length
•
Graduation and Hiring
– Begin employment within 30 days of graduation
– One for one service commitment
Other Considerations
•
SMART positions you well for your first career:
– An opportunity to start your career without bills
*Buy your first home vice paying student loans*
– A guaranteed job in your field following graduation
*No worrying about the where, what, when*
– Demand for SMART students exceeds our budget
*Promotion opportunities*
•
SMART positions you well for your second career:
– Security clearance
*Higher paying positions are open with a clearance*
– Understanding of DoD policies and procedures
*Desired and respected experience*
SMART allows you to serve and maintains our technical dominance
Additional Information
•
Web site: http://smart.asee.org
– Application is on-line
– General program information
•
Email: smart@asee.org
– Specific questions regarding your personal situation
– Ask anything…
•
Phone: (202) 331-3544
11
Tips for Applying for Research Focused
Scholarships and Fellowships
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Start early, taking significant time to compose essays and secure
strong recommendation letters
Read and understand the program solicitation
Demonstrate your personal motivation and excitement for research
Highlight the significance of your research and how it will impact the
sponsoring organization or society
Give essays to many people for review
Be clear, concise, confident, and truthful
Get input from professors or university administration
Get input from previous applicants and winners
Be sure to include all volunteer, leadership and extracurricular
activities
Regularly check application status