Applying for this award requires participation in a campus review and nomination process. Contact Misty Vaughn, Manager of Nationally Competitive Awards, for details.
Overview
The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the U.S., seeks to identify, encourage, and financially 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: strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, effective display of intellectual intensity in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and potential for a significant future contribution to research in their chosen field.
Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination for a Goldwater Scholarship, a student must:
- Be a currently or previously matriculated pursuing a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year institution of higher education and be a full-time matriculated student during the academic terms when receiving scholarship support from the Foundation
- Intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics, or engineering
- Have a college grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Traditionally, nominees have a minimum GPA of 3.7, and the average GPA of recipients is a 3.9+ at the national level.
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
Award
Each Goldwater Scholar annually receives an amount equal to the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board minus the amount of support provided for by other sources, up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year. Scholars who receive the award as sophomores can expect to receive support for a maximum of two years (4 semesters) or until graduation, if sooner. Scholars who receive the award as juniors can expect to receive support for a maximum of one year (2 semesters) or until graduation, if sooner.
Application Status
Closed
Campus Deadline
January 20, 2026