Because technology is at the root of economic development, the federal government extends SMART grants to those who are studying specific areas of science and engineering. These areas include computer science, natural resources and conservation, biology and other life sciences, robotics, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and various other fields of engineering.
There would be no advancement in science without advancements in mathematics. The study of mathematics is the basis for development of many aspects of modern life, so university students studying mathematics are eligible for SMART grants as well. Some qualifying fields of mathematics are statistics, applied mathematics, and operations research.
Though liberal arts majors can be eligible for SMART grants, they must be studying in one of the programs that qualify. These programs combine the general study of liberal arts with the sciences. Additionally, students who are studying certain "critical" foreign languages can be eligible for SMART grants. (Students of American Sign Language and general linguistics do not qualify.) Some students of psychology can qualify for SMART grants as well, specifically those specializing in physiological psychology and psychobiology.