Barry Goldwater Scholarship — Up to $7,500/Year (STEM Research, Undergrad)

About This Opportunity

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate STEM scholarship in the United States, awarded to college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate outstanding potential for a research career in natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Up to $7,500 per year is awarded (for up to two years). Approximately 400–500 scholarships are awarded annually from a pool of ~5,000 nominations. IMPORTANT: This is a faculty-nominated scholarship — students must be nominated by their college or university. Each institution may nominate up to four students per year. Students interested in the Goldwater must approach their undergraduate research faculty and institution scholarship coordinator early (typically in the fall of their sophomore year) to be considered for a nomination. Creighton University, UNO, UNL, and other Nebraska/Iowa institutions all have Goldwater coordinators. Goldwater Scholars are consistently admitted to top PhD programs and receive NSF Graduate Fellowships, NIH, and other prestigious graduate funding. If you are doing undergraduate research in STEM at a Nebraska or Iowa institution, speak with your faculty mentor and scholarship office about Goldwater nomination.

Who Can Apply

Currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior at an accredited U.S. college or university (2 or 3 years remaining). Pursuing a degree in natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering (NOT including pre-med students who plan only clinical careers — must intend to pursue a PhD research career). U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national. Must be nominated by your institution — self-nomination is NOT accepted. GPA typically 3.7+ among competitive nominees. Undergraduate research experience strongly preferred. Contact your institution's Goldwater campus representative or scholarship office.