Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Barry Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Foundation (federally established by Congress)
Up to $7,500 a year for sophomores and juniors headed for research careers in natural sciences, engineering, or math
- How much
- up to $7,500 per academic year
- Who qualifies
- Currently or previously matriculated sophomore or junior at an accredited 2- or 4-year U.S. institution, full time while funded; plans a research career; campus nomination required.
- For undergrads, transfer students
- For natural sciences, engineering, mathematics students
- U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
- When to apply
- Open now · due January 29, 2027 Application opens the first Tuesday in September; campus deadlines Sept-Jan; national nomination deadline last Friday in January, 5:00 p.m. CT; scholars announced last Friday in March
- How to apply
- Contact your school's Goldwater Campus Representative early in the fall
- Complete the online application (research essay, three letters)
- Your school nominates you
- What you'll need
- essay + recommendation + school nomination
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (goldwaterscholarship.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Up to $7,500 per academic year toward tuition, mandatory fees, books, and housing and meals, after other aid is counted. Sophomores can get up to two years (four semesters); juniors up to one year (two semesters), or until graduation if that's sooner. Nominated award: you can't apply directly. Each school's Campus Representative nominates up to four students a year (a fifth if one is a transfer student or veteran, a sixth if both). Three recommendation letters and a research essay. Doesn't fund career goals in clinical medicine, engineering design work, or social/behavioral psychology research (translational and neuroscience research are fine).
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
Keep looking
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.