http://www.asee.org/smart/

SMART Scholarship Program

Ed BujanLiaison, SMART Program

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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?

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Overview

• What is SMART?

• Participant Benefits

• The SMART Process

• Other Considerations

What is SMART?

• SMART is a DoD workforce development program conveniently disguised as a scholarship

• 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 AA, BS, MS, and PhD degrees

• Annual cash award from $25,000 to $41,800• 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

The SMART Process

Application Selection Awards Orientation

SchoolInternshipHiring Graduation

15 Aug – 15 Dec January Mar - May July

Within 30 days Summer/Fall 10 – 12 Weeks Aug - May

Application Process

• Application Process– Web-based

(http://www.asee.org/fellowships/smart/)– Open season is August 15 through December 15

• 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

research7

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Approved Fields of Study

We will support interdisciplinary programs that overlap these fields

• 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

Application Highlights

• Statement of Educational and Professional Goals– Why should we pick you?– What are you going to do for the DoD?

• Academic Achievement– Transcripts from all academic institutions– Average GPA for 2009 Participants is 3.73

• 2 References– Signed on letterhead– The higher the position of your reference…the better

• Desired facilities– Do your homework…tell us where you want to go– Facility desires can be updated any time prior to

selection

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

Participating DoD Facilities

Army, Air Force, Navy, DIA, DISA, DMEA, DMDC, DTRA, NSA, NGA, NRO

Orientation to Hiring

• Orientation– July 15 through July 21 in Monterey, CA– Funded by SMART – mandatory attendance

• 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

Additional Information

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• Web site: http://www.asee.org/fellowships/smart/– Application is on-line– General program information

• Email: smart@asee.org– Specific questions regarding your personal situation– Ask anything…

• Ed Bujan, Program Liaison – Edwin.bujan.ctr@randolph.af.mil– 210-565-1775

QUESTIONS?

AF Class of 2009