The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Cooperative Agreement
The Department of War seeks an eligible partner to run its science, mathematics and research scholarship-for-service program through one cooperative agreement worth up to $1.3 billion over 10 years.
Funder: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Due Dates: October 29, 2026 (Opportunity Day) | November 12, 2026 (Questions) | November 19, 2026 (Responses to questions) | December 3, 2026, 3:00 p.m. EST (Applications)
Funding Amounts: One cooperative agreement of up to $1.3 billion over ten years; no cost sharing required
Summary: Supports a cooperative partner to administer and execute the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program and develop the defense STEM workforce.
Key Information: This opportunity seeks a program administrator with adequate management, financial, and technical capacity, rather than individual scholarship applications.
Description
The Department of War (DoW) seeks a cooperative partner to implement and execute the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program. Managed by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering through the National Defense Education Program, SMART develops technical talent for national defense and addresses near-term civilian workforce needs. It supports undergraduate and graduate study across 22 STEM disciplines critical to national security.
The recipient will collaborate substantially with the Government across five areas: program management and administration; data management, analysis, and reporting; strategic communications and marketing; scholar payments and expenses; and independent program evaluation. Responsibilities span scholarship selection, scholar monitoring, hiring tracking, default-case preparation, information systems, outreach, and financial disbursements. SMART serves both prospective and existing DoW civilian employees, with internships and potential post-graduation civilian service commitments subject to component requirements.
