LMI Builds the Next Generation of DoD Civilian Scientists and Engineers with the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Tysons, Va. — LMI has been awarded a new five-year, $450 million contract supporting the Department of Defense’s Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (DoD SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program. Under this contract, LMI will maintain all web and information technology infrastructure, provide scholar and sponsoring facility support, and oversee program administration and SMART scholarship payments. In addition, LMI will expand their current support, embarking on new diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, enhancing outreach to underserved audiences, as well as increasing data-support and automation. Additional teaming support will be provided by iTechAG, Scholarship America, and Ernst and Young.

Through close collaboration with the DoD SMART Program Office, LMI will ensure program administration is scalable to accommodate the customer’s growing vision. Future plans include expanding the number of annual scholarships awarded, increasing scholar opportunities, such as mentorship and research funding, and improving collaboration with DoD sponsoring facilities.

“We are thrilled to continue supporting this impactful and collaborative program. It has proven to develop some of the best and brightest innovators we have seen in the federal government,” said Doug Wagoner, president and CEO of LMI.

Annually, SMART awards over 400 scholarships to top STEM students across the nation. Awardees receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the Department after graduation. During 2022, SMART welcomed their largest and most diverse cohort, accepting over 480 new scholars, bringing the total awards to over 3,800 scholarships.

“We are thrilled to continue supporting this impactful and collaborative program. It has proven to develop some of the best and brightest innovators we have seen in the federal government.”

— Doug Wagoner, president and CEO of LMI

 “We must continue to recruit and retain top STEM talent for the nation to maintain its competitive edge. SMART is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity that allows the DoD to remain competitive with industry, solving our most complex challenges. The program mentors the next generation of DoD science and technology leaders to build a strong, diverse STEM workforce with an emphasis on critical technology areas. This allows the U.S. to maintain our global leadership,” said Stuart Jones, vice president of LMI’s OSD market.

LMI first began supporting SMART through a cooperative agreement established in 2017.

“The program mentors the next generation of DoD science and technology leaders to build a strong, diverse STEM workforce with an emphasis on critical technology areas. This allows the U.S. to maintain our global leadership.”

— Stuart Jones, vice president of LMI’s OSD market