Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation (SMART) Outcome Evaluation Report

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship for service program provides scholars with internships to prepare them to enter the Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Engineering (S&E) workforce. The program supports two types of individuals: recruitment and retention scholars. Recruitment scholars are students who are pursuing a degree and are not DoD civilian employees. Retention scholars are current DoD civilian S&E employees who have received the scholarship in support of an additional degree. All scholars intern at DoD sponsoring facilities within the Army, Navy, Air Force, or within another DoD agency while pursuing their degree. Upon degree completion, scholars serve out their scholarship service commitment at a DoD sponsoring facility. Between 2006 and 2016, the SMART program awarded 2,021 scholarships. IDA conducted an evaluation to understand how the program’s goals are achieved (process evaluation) and the impact of the program (outcome evaluation) from inception in 2006 through the 2015–2016 academic year.