Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Offered by Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
About this scholarship
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is a national, institution-nominated award for college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. The 2027 competition follows the Foundation’s official schedule: the online system opens on the first Tuesday in September, campus representatives set earlier internal deadlines, and institutional nominations are due on the last Friday in January—January 29, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Central. Students do not submit a direct national nomination on their own. They first create a profile and pre-application in the official Scholarship America system and contact their institution’s Goldwater Campus Representative. Eligible students must be matriculated at an accredited U.S. two-year or four-year institution, meet the Foundation’s sophomore or junior definition, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, plan a research career in a supported STEM field, and be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. A competitive nomination includes detailed academic and career information, college transcripts, three recommendations, and a research essay. Support covers tuition, mandatory fees, books, housing, and meals after other support, up to $7,500 per academic year. Sophomore awardees may receive as much as $15,000 across two years; junior awardees may receive up to $7,500 for one year.
Eligibility
- Be a currently or previously matriculated sophomore or junior at an accredited United States two-year or four-year institution
- Be enrolled full time during the academic terms when receiving Goldwater support
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Intend to pursue a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering
- Be a United States citizen, United States national, or permanent resident
- Work through the institution’s Goldwater Campus Representative; direct student nominations are not accepted
- Submit transcripts, three recommendations, a research essay, and all required application information
- Meet the institution’s earlier internal deadline so the campus can nominate by January 29, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Central