UMD Student Ryan Jones Awarded DoD SMART Scholarship

University of Maryland Department of Aerospace Engineering undergraduate student Ryan Jones was awarded a U.S. Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.

SMART scholarship awards provide students with full tuition for up to five years, mentorship, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) upon graduation.

This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of over 100 innovative laboratories across the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and larger DoD.

During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills. After graduation, Jones will work at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, on the testing of Army projectiles and the development of firing tables and models for use in the field.

Jones is currently studying aerospace engineering, with a minor in project management. In the fall 2023, he will begin a research project under Associate Professor Stuart Laurence on the testing and analysis of hypersonic projectiles.

“It’s a great honor to be selected for this fantastic program, and I can’t wait to learn more about the great work I’ll be doing at DEVCOM. This award will enable me to continue my education without the great financial burden of out-of-state tuition.”

Ryan Jones

“It’s a great honor to be selected for this fantastic program, and I can’t wait to learn more about the great work I’ll be doing at DEVCOM,” said Jones. “This award will enable me to continue my education without the great financial burden of out-of-state tuition.”

The Department of Defense is committed to developing the Nation's STEM talent and is the largest employer of federal scientists and engineers with nearly 150,000 civilian STEM employees working across the Department. DoD STEM activities support this mission by providing authentic learning experiences through a variety of education and outreach initiatives, such as the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program. For over a decade, SMART has trained a highly skilled STEM workforce that competes with the evolving trends of industry to support the next generation of science and technology for our nation.

For more information on the SMART Program or to learn how students can apply, please visit www.smartscholarship.org. The application is open annually from August through December.

ABOUT THE SMART PROGRAM

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students to gain technical skills in critical STEM fields and support the national security mission of the Department of Defense. Contact: Outreach@smartscholarship.org

Published May 2, 2023