The University of Arizona

Need Help? Subscribe! Give!

Goldwater Scholarship

Background

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. 

By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, the Goldwater Foundation is helping ensure that the U.S. is producing the number of highly-qualified professionals the Nation needs in these critical fields. Over its 30-year history, Goldwater Scholarships have been awarded to thousands of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to win other prestigious awards like the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship that support our Scholars’ graduate school work. Today, Goldwater alumni can be found conducting research that is helping defend the Nation and finding cures for catastrophic diseases and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

Application Information

Frequency: Annual
Amount: up to $7,500 per year
Application Period: Fall

Eligibility:

  • Note: the U of A selects several nominees.
  • Major:  see website for list of specific fields of study; applicants must intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics or engineering
  • Class Standing:  Sophomore or Junior
  • Enrollment:  full-time
  • Citizenship/Residency:  U.S. citizen from the 50 states or the District of Columbia; a U.S. national for those students nominated from Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or a permanent resident
  • GPA:  3.00 minimum
  • Renewal:  Sophomores who apply to receive the scholarship in their Junior year may be eligible to renew for Senior year.  

 

While research in medicine is not supported by the National Science Foundation, students interested in pursuing careers in medicine are eligible for a Goldwater Scholarship IF MEDICAL RESEARCH IS A CENTRAL PART OF THE STUDENT’S CAREER GOALS.

The U of A Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS) selects our university's nominees for the scholarship each year.  To apply, contact ONCS:  https://www.honors.arizona.edu/office-nationally-competitive-scholarships

Past Recipients