History of the Foundation
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. Since its creation in 1986, the Goldwater Foundation has awarded scholarships to over 11,000 college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue Barry Goldwater research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
A note from the Chair of the Goldwater Board of Trustees
The Goldwater Foundation's Scholarship Program is one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships available for students in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering in the United States and its territories. The program aims to identify and financially support college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate exceptional potential to become the next generation of research leaders in fields essential to national security and global competitiveness.
Created by Congress to honor the distinguished service of Barry Goldwater, the Foundation is bipartisan, national in scope, and deeply academic. A 13-member Board of Trustees consists of eight members appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the Senate; four members of Congress, two from the Senate and two from the House of Representatives; and the Secretary of Education. The Board appoints an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, who serves as President and is responsible for the administration of the program.
The active participation of over 1,500 colleges and universities has been vital to the program's success. Each institution can nominate up to four students annually, with an extra nomination if at least one is a transfer student or veteran.
To be considered, students must display strong academic performance in an eligible field, have research experience, and submit an engaging essay about their career aspirations along with three letters of recommendation. Each year, a national team of reviewers from academia, industry, and national laboratories evaluates the nominees. It puts forward a slate of students, which is then reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.
As seen in the testimonies of our Scholars below, the research-based careers of the Goldwater Scholars are the ultimate evidence of the scholarship’s success.
John H Yopp, PhD, Chair, Board of Trustees, Goldwater Scholarship Foundation
A note from the Goldwater President
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the third president of the Foundation. In each cohort of awardees, I see students selected for the Scholarship who are on trajectories leading toward research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Students often return to tell us that they have aimed even higher and tackled more challenging problems because of their Goldwater experience.
There are responses like the one from Alexis in 2023, included in the testimonials below: “While I enjoyed participating in my undergraduate research projects, I hadn’t really considered a career in research or even pursuing a graduate education.” Hearing a comment like this is particularly gratifying, as it highlights the profound impact the Goldwater Scholarship has on students' lives, helping them realize their true potential. By nurturing these bright minds, we not only enhance an individual’s future but also strengthen our nation’s economic competitiveness and security. We must continue to inspire U.S. innovators and leaders.
John Mateja, PhD, President, Goldwater Scholarship Foundation
A note from the Goldwater Family
My father, Senator Barry Goldwater, was deeply honored when Congress established a foundation and a scholarship in his name to recognize his 56 years of public service to our nation. He understood how vital the Barry Goldwater Scholarships would be in encouraging college sophomores and juniors to pursue research careers in science, engineering, and mathematics—fields critical to our nation's defense and economic competitiveness. Our family has taken pride in serving on the Goldwater Board of Trustees for the past 40 years, and I am honored to serve on the Board currently.
Peggy Goldwater-Clay, Member and former Chair, Goldwater Board of Trustees
Statistics
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- 11,158 Scholars
- 3 Presidents
- 53 Board Members
- $2.5 Million in annual scholarships awarded (on average, year over year)
- 75% of today’s Scholars are currently working on a PhD
- 18% of Scholars are completing other graduate degree programs
- 88% of Scholars are actively conducting research
- 64% of Scholars have publications or presentations in the last year
- 227 media listings per year on average
- 54% of those reporting in the last 5 years have received prestigious National scholarships
- Another 13% in the last 5 years have received other scholarships and awards
Goldwater Scholar Community (GSC)
The Goldwater Scholar Community (GSC) is a network of Scholars helping Scholars. In 2018, the GSC grew organically around the President of the Foundation and a group of Scholars who envisioned the potential of such a community as a platform for mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to connect with like-minded peers. Today, the GSC has over 3000 members. GSC’s mission is (1) to foster connections among Scholars at all stages, (2) to grow the sense of community among Scholars, and (3) to promote diversity and inclusion in the scholarship applicant pool. The GSC Council runs multiple initiatives to fulfill this mission. See more of their work at https://goldwatercommunity.org
Vision for the Future
The Goldwater Foundation plans to continue awarding approximately 500 Scholarships annually and hopes to continue growing the pool of candidates each year.
Goldwater Scholar Testimonials
The Goldwater Scholarship had a significant impact on my career path by furthering my training as an undergraduate researcher and preparing me to become a competitive applicant for graduate school. The application process taught me how to clearly articulate scientific questions, design feasible research plans, and communicate the broader significance of my work—skills that are essential for a successful research career. Receiving the award not only affirmed my commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in the biological sciences but also gave me the confidence and experience to write and propose independent research projects, laying the foundation for future academic and professional opportunities. - Mariah, 2021
Applying for and receiving the Goldwater is a defining moment in my academic and research career. While I had enjoyed participating in my undergraduate research projects, I hadn’t really considered a career in research or even pursuing a graduate education. When my mentor suggested I apply for the scholarship, I had an epiphany as to what I really wanted to do in the future. Going through the process was a journey of self-reflection and really helped define my future goals. Receiving the Goldwater fortified my newfound interest and goals in research. - Alexis, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship both encouraged me on my path as a STEM researcher and opened doors to future opportunities, namely pursuing a PhD at Harvard, winning an NSF-GRFP, and ultimately being offered a faculty job straight out of my PhD. - Ellen, 2019
The Goldwater Scholarship helped me figure out that I wanted to do in research. Also, coming from a school with less research opportunities and less research experience, having the Goldwater Scholarship on my resume made me a stronger candidate for the PhDs I applied to. - Olivia, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship was the affirmation I needed to continue with research and aim for a graduate degree, even during the stress and loss of the pandemic. It also gave me the financial independence to focus on research and applying for grad school during the last year of my undergraduate studies. - Elizabeth, 2020
The Goldwater Scholarship has accelerated my career and given me so many opportunities in a short amount of time. I would not be where I am today, newly graduated, without the Goldwater Foundation's support. - Ivey, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship has been a great help in being able to use educational opportunities. Goldwater allowed me to take additional classes in biology and get a minor focused on evolutionary biology. These classes and the expertise and guidance of the Goldwater community both shaped my undergraduate research and helped me get into graduate school. The recognition of Goldwater was helpful, but more importantly, it taught me skills in scientific writing and broadened my academic horizons. - Haley, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship has opened the door for many opportunities in my academic career. When interviewing for graduate schools, this scholarship was often mentioned by interview teams, and I was able to discuss the undergraduate research projects that I conducted and discussed in my Goldwater application. I received multiple offers from various PhD programs and believe this scholarship played a role in these successes. I am honored to be a Goldwater Scholar and represent this community in the marine sciences. - Bethany, 2021
Being selected as a Goldwater Scholar had a profound impact on my confidence and career path. It made me feel supported as a researcher and encouraged me to keep pursuing a career I genuinely enjoy. I believe being a Goldwater Scholar made my applications to Fulbright, Marshall Scholarship, and NSF stand out, as I became a finalist for all three and was awarded the NSF GRFP. The scholarship also allowed me to focus on research instead of worrying about how to afford my last year of college. - Ana, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship unlocked my research potential and I wouldn't be where I am today without the Goldwater Scholarship. I gained the confidence to apply to top PhD programs, and the rubber-stamp the Goldwater gave me helped my admission. I will always be grateful that I was selected for the Goldwater Scholarship! - Lucas, 2020
The Goldwater Scholarship had a profound impact on my career path by affirming my commitment to a research-driven career in science and medicine. It gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious, interdisciplinary projects that integrate mathematical modeling, AI, and clinical application. The award opened doors to global research opportunities—most notably my Fulbright at the Indian Institute of Science, where I developed new vaccine design strategies by modeling B cell affinity maturation. It also positioned me to take on leadership roles early, such as serving as Clinical Research Lead at Raxa Health Services, where I led nationwide studies and developed AI tools now used in clinics across India. The scholarship did not just recognize my potential—it accelerated it, helping me build the foundation for a career that bridges innovation and impact in healthcare. - Anish, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship was an enormous asset when applying to graduate school, both as the standard aspect of my resume, but also because of the extensive revising process I went through when applying for the Goldwater. The writing skills I learned while writing my Goldwater essays easily transferred to graduate school essays. - Claire, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship has connected me with fantastic mentors and opened countless doors for myself. I could never have envisioned myself where I am today without the support of this scholarship. Moreover, this scholarship was a major reason as to why I was able to afford college. - Alexander, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship provided early recognition of my potential as a researcher, which greatly enhanced my confidence and visibility within the scientific community. This recognition played a CUNY critical role in obtaining subsequent prestigious fellowships, notably the NSF GRFP and an MIT Presidential Fellowship, and has significantly shaped my current trajectory toward continued research in advanced manufacturing and materials science. - Nicholas, 2020
Goldwater gave me a community of like-minded individuals. - Michelle, 2021
The Goldwater Scholarship provided me with the resources to graduate top of my class at a prestigious college, gave me the confidence to continue pursuing a research career, and no doubt was a defining factor on my resume. This scholarship has led me to my current position at MIT, in which I am leading a research project. - Lillie, 2023
Goldwater Scholarship assisted me in attaining my undergraduate degree and allowed me to be more financially stable in order to acquire an excellent post-graduation SRA position. This position allowed me to successfully apply to grad school. The skills I gained from writing a Goldwater application helped me write a strong application to achieve an NSF GRFP the following year. The recognition of the Goldwater Scholarship has assisted my career greatly and placed me on a strong path towards achieving a PhD. - Hannah, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship has greatly impacted my educational opportunities, especially when applying to graduate school. Once I said that I was a Goldwater Scholar, university representatives were instantly more interested in me as an applicant/researcher. The scholarship serves as a strong testament of both my research abilities and prospects. - Teagan, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship has had a significant impact on my career path by reinforcing my commitment to a research-focused career in neuroscience. Receiving the award not only validated the potential of my scientific contributions but also connected me to a national community of aspiring researchers, which has been both inspiring and motivating. It opened doors to competitive research opportunities and strengthened my applications for graduate programs by demonstrating a clear track record of academic excellence and research promise. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious questions and continues to shape my trajectory toward a Ph.D. and a long-term career in translational neuroscience research. - Marlene, 2019
The Goldwater Scholarship's biggest impact has been self-confidence and the realization that even as an older student, I have a place in research and academia. It absolutely played a role in my applications to graduate school, strengthening my writing skills for applications and providing a large boost to my c.v. - Julian, 2023
The Goldwater Scholarship inspired me to continue my research and expand it into new topics, leading me to apply for and receive the NSF GRFP, complete my master's degree, continue pursuing the Ph.D., and mentor many students on my project who also went on to pursue graduate degrees. It has also opened up many career opportunities where I can use my skills to help people which is what I love. - Rachel, 2022
The Goldwater Scholarship gave me the confidence and support to pursue a career in STEM. It enabled me to apply for the most competitive opportunities such as Harvard and the GRFP fellowship. I aspire to continue maintaining the US as a world leader in STEM research and innovation. - Jose, 2020
Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship was a meaningful acknowledgment of the effort and commitment I dedicated to my research and professional development. The application process motivated me to complete my first manuscript for publication, an achievement I once thought beyond reach. This experience sharpened my ability to communicate my research effectively and strengthened my confidence to pursue further research with increased institutional support. I remain committed to integrating research into my practice, particularly in developing patient data-driven treatment strategies and diagnostic tools to improve human health. - Tyrone, 2021
The Goldwater scholarship has connected me with a variety of scholars across disciplines and the country, and it has also helped me with my graduate school applications. Being a Goldwater Scholar greatly enhanced my graduate and fellowship applications. - Julia, 2023
The scholarship undoubtedly enabled me to freely conduct research throughout my undergraduate studies (ie, without expectation of resulting publications), undertake a Fulbright, and subsequently matriculate to an MD/PhD program. - Rishi, 2019
It has shown me that research fulfills my life and has opened up opportunities that I did not know were possible during my undergraduate studies. I have a vast professional network and a community of scientists supporting my endeavors, which will help in finding a job after the PhD is completed. - Emily, 2022
Current Members of the Goldwater Board of Trustees
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- Dr. John Yopp, Chair, Board of Trustees
- Hon. Mark Kelly
- Hon. John B. Larson
- Hon. Glenn Grothman
- Dr. Stewart DeSoto
- Mrs. Peggy Goldwater Clay
- Dr. Joseph Green
- Charles R. Korsmo, Esq.
- Ms. Maria E Rengifo-Ruess
Current Foundation Staff
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- John Mateja, PhD, President
- Shellby Padgett, Administrative Officer
Other Members of the Team
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- Arnold and Porter
- Scholarship America
- GSA OCFO
- DOI IBC
Welcome to the The Goldwater Community!
