Barry Goldwater Scholarship 2027: Up to $7,500 a Year, Deadline January 29, 2027

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship 2027 is the top US award for college students who plan research careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. The Goldwater Foundation gives up to $7,500 per academic year to outstanding sophomores and juniors, and winning it is one of the strongest signals a young researcher can put on a resume. The foundation deadline is January 29, 2027, but students must first win their college's endorsement, and campus deadlines fall much earlier. Here is the award, the eligibility rules, and exactly how to apply.

Quick answer: The Barry Goldwater Scholarship 2027 gives up to $7,500 per academic year to college sophomores and juniors planning research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. The foundation deadline is January 29, 2027, but you cannot apply directly: your college must nominate you, and campus endorsement deadlines can fall as early as November 5, 2026, so contact your campus Goldwater representative now.

How Much Is the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Worth?

The Goldwater Scholarship pays up to $7,500 per academic year toward tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Sophomores can receive the award for two years and juniors for one year, so a sophomore winner can receive up to $15,000 in total. The money is paid through the scholar's college. The award is named for Senator Barry Goldwater and is run by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, a federally endowed program created by Congress in 1986. Each year the foundation selects hundreds of scholars from across the country, and the award is widely seen as the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the sciences.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility for 2027

According to the Goldwater Foundation's official rules, you are eligible if you:

• Are a college sophomore or junior at an accredited US institution, pursuing a bachelor's degree.
• Plan a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering (including computer science and related fields).
• Are a US citizen or national, or a permanent resident.
• Have a strong academic record, normally a GPA of at least 3.0, with top students usually far above that mark.
• Are nominated by your college or university. Students cannot apply directly to the foundation.

Each college may nominate up to four students per year (five if one is a transfer student). The nomination is the real competition: your campus representative and faculty choose the nominees, and the foundation then selects the scholars from the national pool.

Read Also: UNCF STEM Scholars Program 2027: Up to $25,000
Read Also: Society of Women Engineers Scholarships 2027

How to Apply for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship

You cannot apply directly. Start by contacting your college's Goldwater campus representative, usually in the fellowships office or the office of undergraduate research, and ask for the campus deadline and nomination process. Campus endorsement deadlines vary by school and can fall as early as November 5, 2026 (the University of Oregon's endorsement deadline for the 2027 cycle). If your college nominates you, you then complete the foundation application, which includes your academic record, a research essay describing your research experience and career goals, and three letters of recommendation from faculty, ideally from research mentors. The foundation deadline is January 29, 2027. Winners are announced in the spring of 2027.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Get research experience early. Goldwater winners almost always have hands-on research with a faculty mentor, so join a lab or a research project as soon as you can.
• Write a strong research essay. Explain what you studied, what you found, and how it connects to your future research career, in clear language a non-specialist can follow.
• Ask research mentors for recommendations. Letters from faculty who supervised your research carry far more weight than letters from lecture-only professors.
• Apply to more January scholarships too. Our January 2027 deadline list has several big awards closing the same month. For essay help, see our guide to writing a scholarship essay that wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Barry Goldwater Scholarship deadline for 2027?
January 29, 2027, for the foundation application. Campus endorsement deadlines are earlier and vary by school, so check with your college now.

How much money does the Goldwater Scholarship give?
Up to $7,500 per academic year. Sophomores can receive it for two years and juniors for one year.

Who is eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship?
College sophomores and juniors at accredited US institutions who plan research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering, and who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

Can I apply for the Goldwater Scholarship directly?
No. Your college must nominate you. Contact your campus Goldwater representative to start the nomination process.

What fields does the Goldwater Scholarship cover?
The natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, including computer science and related research fields.

Where do I apply for the Goldwater Scholarship?
Through your college's Goldwater campus representative and the foundation's official site at goldwater.scholarsapply.org. Never pay anyone to apply - the application is free.

Related: UNCF STEM Scholars Program 2027 · SWE Scholarships 2027 · Scholarships With Deadlines in January 2027

Sources: University of Oregon Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships deadlines page (Goldwater campus endorsement November 5, 2026; foundation deadline January 29, 2027); Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation official program rules (up to $7,500 per academic year; sophomore and junior eligibility; nomination required; up to four nominees per institution). Always confirm the current deadline and requirements on the official Goldwater Foundation page and with your campus representative before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship - legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.