just got smart offer for a 4 year PhD term. Sponsoring facility and I talked a lot, they do research that is aligned with my interests. Problem is I have 0 offers right now (I am an applicant), so I've emailed 2 PIs I interviewed with positively, who haven't rejected me yet, and told them about my offer to see what my options are. I am also interviewing for a tech job, and have a return offer from a past internship at a DOD facility last summer, that is not the same as the SMART sponsor facility. I also have some ethical concerns as a self identified socialist (I realize applying was iffy on that alone but I decided I'd cross that bridge if I got to it and alas I have) about working for the DOD but I think that is one of the least of my concerns.
Anyways i just want to know what I am getting myself into, if it is a good offer to accept if I do get an admission offer from a PhD program, etc.
i have no idea what to do -- phd recepient
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Guest
Re: i have no idea what to do -- phd recepient
What exactly is your question?meowha3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 01, 2026 12:42 pmjust got smart offer for a 4 year PhD term. Sponsoring facility and I talked a lot, they do research that is aligned with my interests. Problem is I have 0 offers right now (I am an applicant), so I've emailed 2 PIs I interviewed with positively, who haven't rejected me yet, and told them about my offer to see what my options are. I am also interviewing for a tech job, and have a return offer from a past internship at a DOD facility last summer, that is not the same as the SMART sponsor facility. I also have some ethical concerns as a self identified socialist (I realize applying was iffy on that alone but I decided I'd cross that bridge if I got to it and alas I have) about working for the DOD but I think that is one of the least of my concerns.
Anyways i just want to know what I am getting myself into, if it is a good offer to accept if I do get an admission offer from a PhD program, etc.
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e_maxwell_outland
Re: i have no idea what to do -- phd recepient
Like the other reply, I'm not exactly sure what the question was, but I'll bite. I guess I'd ask to meet more with your Sponsoring Facility if you're still unsure. If they aren't doing the kind of work that you feel is ethical and aligns with your beliefs, then you shouldn't accept SMART. However, my SF is doing work I'm proud to do, and I know everyone I've worked with there would 100% listen if anyone spoke up about not being comfortable with anything ethically. At the end of the day, change happens through people, and if the government we have isn't the one you want to represent you, then be the change you want to see (aka democracy). On the rest of it, you'll just have to see. If you get a PhD position (best of luck!), great! Otherwise, you can't accept SMART because you have no school to go to. I personally think the scholarship is great because then my tuition is covered, and I'm paid just to do research. So I have a lot of latitude that isn't just beholden to my PIs and their funding/grants, which is a rare find. The stipend is pretty great, although the healthcare pay amount is :/ (at least in Colorado), and a guaranteed stable job with government benefits (primarily good health insurance and a pension on retirement) in this economy? Bet.