Auburn University students awarded the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship through the U.S. DoW

Auburn students Josh Rice and Hannah Kirkham have been selected for the highly competitive SMART Scholarship, a Department of War scholarship-for-service program that provides full tuition, annual stipends, paid internships and guaranteed civilian employment after graduation.

The SMART Scholarship is a leading education-to-workforce development initiative focused on attracting and retaining top technical talent in critical and emerging technologies. The program offers students hands-on experience at more than 100 laboratories across the Army, Navy, Air Force and the broader Department of War (DoW).

Meet awardee Josh Rice

Rice, from Huntsville, Alabama, grew up in a family familiar with civilian work for the U.S. Army and appreciated the amount of effort put into protecting U.S. soldiers. “Being offered the opportunity to educate myself and build my career for the express purpose of defense has deepened my appreciation for the people and effort dedicated to supporting those in the field,” said Rice. “Having a guaranteed career and investment from the Army has allowed me to focus on developing my skills so that I can be prepared to work effectively in my future roles.”

Rice is an Honors College senior majoring in mechanical engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Through the scholarship, he will receive funding for graduate study that supports his long-term education and career goals.

“Having a specific job and career path in mind while in school gives students an opportunity to prepare for and excel in their entry-level roles,” said Rice. “Gaining experience directly related to your future job while still in school is an incredible opportunity.”

“Josh is a great student and a great researcher,” said Scott Martin, assistant professor of mechanical engineering with the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. “The SMART scholarship is well deserved, and I look forward to seeing his academic and research career progress.”

Meet awardee Hannah Kirkham

Kirkham, also from Huntsville, Alabama, was similarly raised by a family and community deeply familiar with civil service work. “Pursuing a career in this field has always felt like a natural extension of where I come from and I’m excited for where this opportunity is taking me,” said Kirkham.

Kirkham is an Honors College senior majoring in mechanical engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Through the scholarship, she has secured a position with the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).

“I'm excited to start a career in national defense and to play a part in supporting the warfighter, doing work that has a direct impact on the people who serve,” said Kirkham. “It means my education has a clear purpose beyond a diploma, since it is preparation for a role I already know I'm stepping into.”

“I admire Hannah's commitment to applying her engineering talents in service to our nation and her willingness to pursue a career that supports the national security of the United States,” said Rick Williams, senior lecturer of mechanical engineering with the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. “This opportunity is an excellent match for her strengths and aspirations, and I am confident she will make meaningful contributions to solving challenges of national importance.”

a demonstration of academic excellence

Both Rice and Kirkham believe their academic experiences at Auburn University helped position them for the scholarship by demonstrating their academic excellence and readiness for a professional STEM career.

The Department of War 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. 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.

Students interested in learning more or applying for the SMART scholarship can schedule an appointment with the Office of National Prestigious Scholarships.