As a follow-on to yesterday’s LOG Blog post entitled “DoD Accepting Summer 2023 DCAIP Applications”, check out a related DoD announcement entitled “DOD Awards SMART Scholarship-For-Service Cooperative Agreement”.

It is readily apparent evident from the scope of this initiative the critical -- and urgent -- nature of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) recruiting efforts; and the Department’s Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is a powerful enabler. As the announcement says, “The DoD employs almost 300,000 STEM professionals. The National Defense Strategy identified building enduring advantages as a key line of effort. The DoD is prioritizing investments in one of Department’s most valuable resources: a talented, competitive workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century. The Department is working to cultivate the future STEM workforce by providing unique education opportunities to students and educators of all ages and across all demographics.”

According to the announcement, “to learn more about the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program and the participating DoD sponsoring facilities, visit www.smartscholarship.org. The application period for the 2023 SMART scholar cohort began August 1, 2022, and ends December 1, 2022. More information can be found on the website.”

To better understand the critical nature of the life cycle logistics and systems engineering/engineering & technical management integration required to successfully develop, field and sustain reliable, available, maintainable, and supportable weapon systems, look no further than a recent Defense Acqusition Magazine article entitled "Systems Engineering and Life Cycle Sustainment: The Need to Synchronize", as well as an earlier article entitled "Teamed for Success: The Imperative for Aligning Systems Engineering and Life Cycle Logistics".