The scholarship—one of the most prestigious national undergraduate scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics[1][2]—is awarded annually to about 400 college sophomores and juniors out of approximately 1200 nominees.[3] The scholarship is awarded based on merit, and the actual amount given is based on financial need, up to a maximum of $7,500 per academic year. In addition, since at least 2006 until 2018, about 150 exceptional applicants not awarded the Scholarship have been recognized with official Honorable Mentions.[4]
Colleges and universities are usually allowed to nominate only four of their undergraduate students per year for consideration, but many nominate up to 5 if a nominee is a transfer student or veteran and up to 6 if both a transfer student and veteran are nominated. Most applicants are seeking PhDs. Those who also wish to also practice medicine, such as future MD/PhD, DO/PhD, or DVM/PhD candidates, must demonstrate a clear commitment to research.[5]
In awarding scholarships, the Foundation considers the field of study, career objectives, commitment, and potential for a significant professional contribution. This is judged by letters of reference, student essays, and prior research experience. The number of scholarships per region depends on the number and qualifications of the nominees for that region. The regions are defined as each of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Leadership
Board of trustees
The board of trustees is composed of 13 members, 8 of which are appointed by the president of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate. No more than four of the presidentially-appointed members may be affiliated with the same political party. These members are appointed to terms of six years, but they may continue to serve on the board until a successor is confirmed.[6]
Four trustees are members of Congress, two members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives. One each of these are appointed by the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate, and the majority leader and the minority leader of the House, respectively. These members may not serve on the board for more than a total of six years.[6]
The board appoints an Executive Secretary of the foundation, who serves as the chief executive officer of the foundation and carries out its functions, subject to the supervision and direction of the board.[8]
Dr. John Mateja has served as the third president of the foundation since 2016.[9]
Past presidents
The past presidents and executive secretaries of the foundation:[10]
In 2019, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation partnered with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs (NDEP) to dramatically increase the number of scholarships offered from the historical average of 15-20% of nominees at the national level to over 40%. This awarded a Goldwater scholarship to all students who would have received an Honorable Mention in previous years.[14]
Changes implemented in 2020
Nomination materials will now be reviewed by discipline instead of state of residence.
Four-year schools that present a transfer student as a nominee can also nominate an additional (5th) student.
Institutions cannot reduce a student's institutionally-controlled scholarship funding after a student receives the Goldwater award.
The foundation will no longer reduce a student’s Goldwater award if the student receives additional scholarship funding during the same year.[15]
↑ "Barry Goldwater Scholarship". Barry Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Foundation. March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
↑ "2019 Scholar Press Release". goldwater.scholarsapply.org. Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Archived from the original on 2019-08-27. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
↑ "New for 2020". goldwater.scholarsapply.org. Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Archived from the original on 2019-08-24. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
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