[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 2178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01313]



[[Page 2178]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) 
Defense Education Program

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 
Engineering, DoD.

ACTION: SMART notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation 
(SMART) Defense Education Program is a Department of Defense (DoD) 
scholarship for service program that was established in 2005 as a means 
to recruit and retain civilian scientists and engineers working at DoD 
laboratories and facilities. The initial pilot program was made 
permanent by Congress in 2006. From 2005 to 2017, the SMART program has 
awarded 2,386 scholarships across 19 science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics (STEM) disciplines (identified by DoD as critical 
workforce needs) and placed scholars from all 50 states, the District 
of Columbia, and Puerto Rico at 162 DoD laboratories and facilities. 
This notice informs the public that applicants are solicited annually 
to participate in the SMART Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tylar Temple: 571-372-6535, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DoD Science, Mathematics, and Research 
for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program, (SMART Program) 
authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2192a is part of the National Defense Education 
Program. The SMART Program is public funded using the DoD 
appropriations and is designed to increase the number of new civilian 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) entrants to 
the DoD; in addition the SMART Program develops and retains current DoD 
civilian STEM employees that are critical to the national security 
functions of the DoD and are needed in the DoD workforce. SMART Program 
awards scholarships, ranging from 1 year to 5 years, to undergraduate- 
and graduate-level students pursuing a degree in one of 19 technical 
disciplines. Upon graduation, participants fulfill a service commitment 
with the DoD facility that selected the participant for an award (the 
sponsoring facility, or SF).
    The SMART Program requires a competitive application process. 
Eligible persons must be U.S. citizens at the time of application, or a 
citizen of a country the government of which is a party to The 
Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) memorandum of understanding of 
October 24, 1995; be 18 years or older at the time of entry into the 
program, must participate in summer internships at DoD laboratories; 
willing to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD, in good 
standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; (2) pursuing an 
associate, undergraduate or advanced degree in one of the 19 program-
funded disciplines, and (3) eligible to obtain and maintain a secret 
level security clearance.
    Each year applicants may apply for the program on line beginning in 
August at http://smartscholarship.org. The application process closes 
in December. Starting in 2018, DoD will publish a notice annually in 
the Federal Register announcing the timeframe for submitting 
applications. Information is required so that the application may be 
evaluated for compliance with statutory eligibility requirements, 
academic merit, and compatibility with DoD workforce needs. See 10 
U.S.C. Section 2192a(a). The information collected consists of 
applications submitted by members of the general public and current DoD 
personnel who actively choose to become involved in the SMART Program 
and thus become subject to information collection. The applications may 
include information on academic records, community and volunteer 
activities, letters of recommendations from faculty and community 
leaders, a list of publications, work experience, certification of 
citizenship and personal contact information. This information is 
necessary to evaluate and rank each candidate's credentials for 
awarding scholarships and determining whether the candidate meets 
specific DoD facility workforce needs. The collection of this 
information has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act and assigned OMB Control Number 0704-0466.
    The DoD Components select SMART Program awardees. SMART Program 
awards are finalized and communicated to the awardee not later than May 
15 of each year, provided monies have been appropriated by Congress. In 
order to receive financial assistance through the SMART Program, the 
awardee must sign a service agreement. See 10 U.S.C. Section 2192a(c). 
The period of obligated service for a recipient of financial assistance 
is the total period of pursuit of a degree that is covered by such 
financial assistance. See 10 U.S.C. Section 2192a(c)(2). The period of 
obligated service is in addition to any other period for which the 
recipient is obligated to serve in the civil service of the United 
States. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2192a(d), the Secretary may appoint to 
the excepted service an individual who successfully completed the SMART 
program.
    A SMART Program participant is in default of the service agreement 
if the participant (1) voluntarily fails to complete the educational 
program; (2) fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress; (3) 
voluntarily terminates employment with the DoD or (4) is removed from 
employment with DoD on the basis of misconduct. When there is a default 
of a service agreement, the DoD Component head executing the SMART 
Program will determine the appropriate amount to be recouped by the 
United States in accordance with the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 2192a(e).

    Dated: February 1, 2019.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2019-01313 Filed 2-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P