The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Cooperative Agreement
🏛 Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command (DOD-AMC)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 14, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for eligible entities that can partner with the Department of the Army to administer the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program. Applicants must have strong management capability and adequate financial and technical resources. They must demonstrate a satisfactory record of administering similar programs, as well as integrity and business ethics.
The program supports scholarships for undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees critical to national security. Recipients will work with the Department to deliver scholarships, internships, enrichment activities, competitions, and mentorships. This is a single cooperative agreement with up to $1.3 billion over ten years.
Eligible STEM disciplines include 22 fields critical to national defense. Scholars must commit to DoD civilian workforce service upon graduation.
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Program description
The Department of War (DoW) seeks innovative applications to cooperatively partner with eligible entities in the implementation and execution of the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program. The Department intends to award ONE (1) CA award, with a maximum award of up to $1,300M over a ten-year period of performance.
The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) supports the Department’s priorities to improve lethality, warfighting, and readiness by developing America’s future technical workforce poised to create advanced technologies, tools, and capabilities necessary to ensure the United States (U.S.) military remains the most powerful and advanced, capable of deterring adversaries and protecting American interests at home and abroad. NDEP is executed by OUSW(R&E) and ensures the Department’s ability to develop and access high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent vital to addressing key areas of national defense and supporting the warfighter.
NDEP activities provide authentic DoW-relevant learning experiences through a variety of DoW STEM initiatives in the form of scholarships, internships, enrichment activities, project/research-based competitions, and mentorships. One of the main NDEP efforts in addressing talent development and recruitment is through the SMART Program, pursuant to Section 4093 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.).
The SMART Program enables the Department to transform its STEM workforce while addressing near-term workforce demands. Per 10 U.S.C. 4093, the SMART program awards highly competitive scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degrees in any of the 22 STEM academic disciplines critical to national security. Upon graduation, and subject to DoW component requirements, scholars may be considered for a one-for-one employment service commitment within the DoW Civilian workforce. SMART scholars perform many aspects of the national security mission including science and technology, research and development, manufacturing, test and evaluation, maintenance and in-service support, medical research, warfighter support, infrastructure and construction, material decommission and disposal, and intelligence gathering and analysis activities.
The SMART program ensures the Department has a steady infusion of high-quality technical talent, prepared in areas of critical importance, and ready to apply their technical knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill the DoW mission. Since its inception in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, SMART has awarded over 8,000 scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees. To date, over 4,900 scholars have completed their academic pursuit and transitioned into DoW Workforce.
Opportunity Day will be held virtually on 29 October 2026 from 1300 to 1600 EST. To register, email osw.smart@mail.mil with subject heading W911NF-27-R-A001 Opportunity Day. More details will be provided prior to the event.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Program Management Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capability Statement
- Past Performance Documentation
- Letters of Commitment (if partnering with universities/institutions)
Program contact
- 👤 Megan A Deluca Grantor
- 📧 megan.a.deluca.civ@army.mil
- 📞 443-223-1648
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.631 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$365,130,157
-
$93,129,130
-
$9,997,847
-
$3,882,883
-
$800,000
-
$797,225
-
$685,287
-
$540,000
-
$478,772
-
$250,000
Top States by Funding
- VA 4 awards $459.3M
- TX 1 awards $10.0M
- OH 2 awards $1.2M
- AZ 1 awards $0.8M
- IL 1 awards $0.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.631). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $103,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $101,107,152 | |
| 2026 est. | $95,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Entities with strong management capability, adequate financial/technical resources, and a satisfactory record administering similar programs. You must demonstrate integrity and business ethics.
What is the funding amount and duration?
One award up to $1.3 billion over ten years. This is a single cooperative agreement, not multiple awards.
What activities does the grant support?
STEM scholarships for undergraduates and graduates, internships, enrichment activities, research competitions, and mentorships. Scholars commit to DoD civilian employment after graduation.
Which STEM fields are eligible?
22 STEM academic disciplines critical to national security, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields aligned with DoD priorities.
What is the application deadline?
December 3, 2026. An Opportunity Day is scheduled for October 29, 2026 from 1-4 PM EST.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Register for the October 29, 2026 Opportunity Day by emailing osw.smart@mail.mil. This pre-application event will clarify expectations and competitive priorities.
- Emphasize your organizational track record administering federal STEM programs. Document past successes with similar initiatives or scholarship programs.
- Demonstrate your financial stability and technical infrastructure. Show you can manage a large, complex multi-year program at scale.
- Align your proposed activities with the 22 eligible STEM disciplines and DoD workforce needs. Focus on national security-relevant talent development.
- Build a strong coalition if needed. Partner with universities or institutions to strengthen your capacity and reach for recruiting STEM scholars.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lacking demonstrated experience administering large federal STEM programs or scholarship initiatives. Underestimating the management complexity of a $1.3B ten-year cooperative agreement. Failing to clearly align proposed STEM disciplines with the 22 DoD-critical fields and workforce pipeline needs.
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