The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Cooperative Agreement
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- W911NF-27-R-A001
- Agency
-
Army Materiel Command
Department of the Army, Department of Defense
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $1,300,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of War is soliciting applications for one Cooperative Agreement to administer the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program, with a single-award ceiling of up to $1.3 billion over a ten-year period of performance. Questions are due by November 12, 2026, and applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EST on December 3, 2026, submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground Research Triangle Park Division issues the notice on behalf of the Army Research Office and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. Amendment 001 moved the inquiry deadline from November 24 to November 12, 2026. Cost sharing is not required, and profit or fee is not permitted.
Eligibility requires management capability, adequate financial and technical resources, a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics, and eligibility to receive a cooperative agreement under applicable laws and regulations. A satisfactory record of administering such programs applies if the applicant is a prior recipient. Amendment 001 lists institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities meeting federal requirements, and requires System for Award Management registration.
Base-year funding is up to $120 million, with nine option years at $120 million to $140 million annually. Scholarship payments run $60 million to $100 million annually for approximately 1,500 scholars per year, with 82 to 87 percent of annual funding devoted to scholarships. Element 5, independent program evaluation, is capped at $1 million per year.
The recipient must execute five elements: program management and administration, SIMS data management, strategic communications and marketing, scholar payments and expenses, and independent program evaluation. The recipient must transition existing systems within 60 calendar days of award, including smartscholarship.org, social media accounts, SIMS data, and program documentation. The current performer is LMI Consulting LLC. The award is anticipated June 3, 2027, with evaluations completed by February 12, 2027.
Proposals are evaluated on a technical plan (15 pages maximum), management approach (8 pages), past performance with three references (6 pages), organizational credentials (8 pages), and detailed cost proposals. The program is the STEM Educational Program: Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART), CFDA 12.631.
Synopsis
The Department of War (DoW) seeks innovative applications to cooperatively partner with eligible entities in the implementation and execution of the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program. The Department intends to award ONE (1) CA award, with a maximum award of up to $1,300M over a ten-year period of performance.
The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) supports the Department's priorities to improve lethality, warfighting, and readiness by developing America's future technical workforce poised to create advanced technologies, tools, and capabilities necessary to ensure the United States (U.S.) military remains the most powerful and advanced, capable of deterring adversaries and protecting American interests at home and abroad. NDEP is executed by OUSW(R & E) and ensures the Department's ability to develop and access high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent vital to addressing key areas of national defense and supporting the warfighter.
NDEP activities provide authentic DoW-relevant learning experiences through a variety of DoW STEM initiatives in the form of scholarships, internships, enrichment activities, project/research-based competitions, and mentorships. One of the main NDEP efforts in addressing talent development and recruitment is through the SMART Program, pursuant to Section 4093 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.).
The SMART Program enables the Department to transform its STEM workforce while addressing near-term workforce demands. Per 10 U.S.C. 4093, the SMART program awards highly competitive scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degrees in any of the 22 STEM academic disciplines critical to national security. Upon graduation, and subject to DoW component requirements, scholars may be considered for a one-for-one employment service commitment within the DoW Civilian workforce. SMART scholars perform many aspects of the national security mission including science and technology, research and development, manufacturing, test and evaluation, maintenance and in-service support, medical research, warfighter support, infrastructure and construction, material decommission and disposal, and intelligence gathering and analysis activities.
The SMART program ensures the Department has a steady infusion of high-quality technical talent, prepared in areas of critical importance, and ready to apply their technical knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill the DoW mission. Since its inception in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, SMART has awarded over 8,000 scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees. To date, over 4,900 scholars have completed their academic pursuit and transitioned into DoW Workforce.
Opportunity Day will be held virtually on 29 October 2026 from 1300 to 1600 EST. To register, email osw.smart@mail.mil with subject heading W911NF-27-R-A001 Opportunity Day. More details will be provided prior to the event.
Eligibility
To be qualified potential applicants must have the following: •Management capability and adequate financial and technical resources to administer the program of activities envisioned under the SMART Program, •A satisfactory record of administering such programs or activities (if a prior recipient of an award) •A satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics • Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a CA under applicable laws and regulation.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| TAB_B_-_SMART_CA_2026_NFO_-_AMD_002_27_OCT_2026.pdf | ||
| TAB_B_-_SMART_CA_2026_NFO_-_AMD_001_20_OCT_2026.pdf | ||
| SMART_CA_2026_NFO.pdf | ||
| PKG00294279.pdf |
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