SMART Scholarship Program Ed Bujan Liaison, SMART Program

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SMART Scholarship ProgramEd BujanLiaison,
SMART Program
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Underlying Questions

• How can the Department of Defense (DoD) recruit
  top science and technology (ST) 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

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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 ST
  leaders
• American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
• Manages the application process for SMART
• Provides the mechanism for Participant payments

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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
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The SMART Process
15 Aug 15 Dec
January
Mar - May
July
Within 30 days
Summer/Fall
10 12 Weeks
Aug - May
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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
  research

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Approved Fields of Study

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Naval Architecture
• Nuclear Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Oceanography
• Operations Research
• Physics
• Industrial and Systems Engineering

• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
• Biosciences
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Geosciences
• Information Sciences

We will support interdisciplinary programs that
overlap these fields
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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 referencethe
  better
• Desired facilities
• Do your homeworktell us where you want to go
• Facility desires can be updated any time prior to
  selection

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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

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

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Additional Information

• Web site http//www.asee.org/fellowships/smart/
• Application is on-line
• General program information
• Email smart_at_asee.org
• Specific questions regarding your personal
  situation
• Ask anything
• Ed Bujan, Program Liaison
• Edwin.bujan.ctr_at_randolph.af.mil
• 210-565-1775

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QUESTIONS?
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AF Class of 2009