April 12, 2022
Austin Zank, a Trine University student, has been awarded the Department of Defense Science, Mathematics,
and Research for Transformation Scholarship.
This award provides students with full tuition for up to five years, mentorship, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of over 200 innovative laboratories across the Army, Navy, Air Force and larger Department of Defense. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills. After graduation, Zank will work at Offutt Air Force Base in Sarpy County, Nebraska, near Omaha.
Zank is currently studying civil engineering, with a focus in environmental engineering.
"It is an honor to have been selected as a SMART Scholarship recipient,” he said. “The award is going to take a large amount of stress off my shoulders as I finish my degree, and I am excited to see what opportunities await with the Department of Defense. I am extremely grateful for the education and experiences I have gained here at Trine from the Civil Engineering Department as well as from the Thunder football team, and credit both with my selection for this scholarship."
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.
Last Updated: 04/12/2022
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