Josh LeMonte, a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware, has been awarded a prestigious Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. The SMART Scholarship for Service Program, part of the National Defense Education Program of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and administered by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Naval Postgraduate School, provides opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and be gainfully employed upon graduation. As a SMART scholar, LeMonte will receive approximately $350,000 in support over five years as he completes his Ph.D., which includes tuition, books, health insurance, paid summer internships at a DOD research facility and a stipend. In return, he has committed to a minimum of five years of employment with the DOD following the completion of his degree. "It's a great opportunity for me and a great program," LeMonte said. "The DOD will be losing over half of its scientists to retirement in the next 10 years or so, and this program is aimed at replacing them by recruiting young scientists and helping them get established while benefitting the nation."