Barry Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to outstanding undergraduates who are studying mathematics, natural sciences or engineering and who intend to pursue a research career. The scholarship awards up to $7,500 for the remaining year(s) of study at USC. Desired qualities of applicants include a competitive grade point average, demonstrated research experience and commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to the fields of mathematics, natural sciences or engineering.  

Applicants interested in pursuing medicine must demonstrate a desire for medical research, rather than medical practice.

USC may nominate four applicants per year.  Institutions may also nominate a 5th and 6th student if at least one of the nominees is a transfer student or a U.S. Veteran.

Students seeking the University’s nomination will submit all application materials by the campus deadline. If selected as a USC Goldwater nominee, candidates will be given access to the complete Goldwater online national application and referees will have the opportunity to update letters of recommendation.

Be sure to complete the short Student Profile and Goldwater Scholarship Pre-Application in addition to submitting this USC Goldwater Nomination application to be considered for a nomination for a Goldwater Scholarship by USC.

The USC Campus Deadline to apply for Goldwater Scholarship nomination is: Sunday, December 7, 2025.  Letters of recommendation should be submitted through this online application portal.

Questions?  Email: Katie Capra at kcalvert@usc.edu