SMART Scholarship 2027–2028 in the USA | Fully Funded STEM

U.S. Department of War

Scholarships
USA
October 22, 2026

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program helps eligible students study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. It offers full tuition, an annual stipend, summer internships, and a civilian job with the U.S. Department of War after graduation. Important: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, so this scholarship is not open to Afghan or other international applicants who do not hold U.S. citizenship.

Quick Details

Detail	Information
Host Country	United States
Scholarship Provider	U.S. Department of War
Scholarship Name	SMART Scholarship-for-Service
Study Level	Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
Eligible Applicants	U.S. citizens who meet all requirements
Funding	Full tuition and annual stipend
Annual Stipend	$30,000–$46,000, depending on degree level
Application Deadline	December 4, 2026
Application Method	Online
Official Website	SMART Scholarship

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Scholarship Benefits

Full Tuition: Covers tuition at an accredited U.S. college or university.
Annual Stipend: Provides $30,000–$46,000 per year, depending on the degree level.
Summer Internships: Offers practical work experience at Department of War facilities.
Career Opportunity: Provides civilian employment with the Department of War after graduation.
Mentoring: Gives scholars access to experienced professionals in their fields.
Research Experience: Allows students to work on real science and technology projects.

Important: This is a scholarship-for-service program. Selected students must complete their required work commitment after graduation. Do not assume that housing, international travel, or all personal expenses are covered.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the program’s main eligibility rules.

Age: You must be at least 18 by January 1 following the award start.
Academic Level: You must meet the program rules for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Field of Study: Your degree must be in an approved STEM field.
Academic Grades: A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
University: You must plan to attend or already study at an accredited U.S. college or university.
Security Check: You must be able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for your assigned position.
Work Commitment: You must agree to the program’s internship and post-graduation employment rules.

Available Fields of Study

The program supports approved degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Eligible fields may include:

Computer Science: Computing and related areas.
Engineering: Approved engineering degree programs.
Mathematics: Mathematics and related fields.
Natural Sciences: Approved science programs.
Technology: Eligible technology and research fields.

Check before applying: Not every STEM degree qualifies. Use the official program website to confirm that your exact major is accepted.

Language Requirements

English: The program is based at U.S. universities, so applicants should be ready to study in English.
IELTS or TOEFL: A specific program-wide IELTS or TOEFL rule was not confirmed in the available official information. Check your university’s admission rules.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents requested in the current online application.

Academic Transcripts: Records showing your university grades.
Resume: A clear summary of your education, skills, and experience.
References: The program requires at least two reference providers.
Application Responses: Complete the questions and written sections shown in the application portal.
Other Documents: Submit any additional records requested by the program.

The exact document list may depend on your application type. Follow the current official instructions rather than relying on an old checklist.

How to Apply

Step 1 – Check Eligibility: Confirm that you meet the citizenship, academic, and other program rules.
Step 2 – Check Your Major: Make sure your degree is on the approved STEM list.
Step 3 – Prepare Documents: Collect your academic records, resume, and reference details.
Step 4 – Complete the Application: Fill in the online form on the official SMART website.
Step 5 – Submit References: Make sure at least two reference providers complete their required evaluations.
Step 6 – Review and Submit: Check every section and submit before the deadline.

Official application website: Apply through SMART

Application Deadline

Closing Date: December 4, 2026, based on the program’s annual schedule of closing on the first Friday in December.
Time Zone: The exact closing time and time zone were not confirmed in the available official information.
Application Status: Check the official website for the live application status and any deadline updates.

Official Website

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