Barry Goldwater Scholarships

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation's next generation of research leaders in these fields.

The characteristics the Foundation seeks in a Goldwater Scholar include:

A) Strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering,

B) Effective display of intellectual intensity in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, and

C) Potential for a significant future contribution to research in his/her chosen field.

To be eligible for nomination for a Goldwater Scholarship, a student must:

1. Be a full-time matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year institution of higher education during the academic year,

2. Intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics or engineering,*

3. Have a college grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and

4. Be a U.S. citizen from the 50 states or the District of Columbia; a U.S. national for those students nominated by institutions in Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or a permanent resident. A permanent resident nominated for the scholarship must include a letter stating his/her intent to become a U.S. citizen. A photocopy of the nominee's Permanent Resident Card, also known as the Alien Registration Card or Green Card, must also be submitted.

* The natural sciences, engineering and mathematics fields and sub-fields used by the Goldwater Foundation to determine eligibility are those used by the National Science Foundation for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program. These include: Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology.

AMOUNT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarships of up to $7,500 a year are provided to help cover costs associated with tuition, mandatory fees, books, room and board. A sophomore who receives a Goldwater Scholarship will receive up to $7,500 in each of his/her junior and senior years. A junior who receives a Goldwater Scholarship will receive up to $7,500 in his/her senior year.

Students who are nominated who do not receive a scholarship but who show particular promise will be recognized with an Honorable Mention. Students who receive an Honorable Mention do not receive financial support.