A History of Supporting Outstanding Scholars

Between 1989, the first year scholarships were conferred, and 2016, the Foundation has awarded 7680 scholarships.   A 2014 survey by then Goldwater Foundation President, Frank Gilmore, and Executive Administrator, Lucy Decher, of all scholarship recipients from 1989 through 2013 revealed that:

• 99% of all Goldwater scholars have at least one degree (bachelor’s degree or higher),
• 49% have earned PhDs in science, mathematics or engineering,
• 8% have completed other doctoral degrees (i.e., JDs, MDs),
• Goldwater Scholars who already have masters and bachelor’s degrees are currently working on a PhD (likely bringing our total percentage of doctoral degrees to 70%), and
• 72.6% of Goldwater Scholars report current involvement in ongoing scientific, mathematics and engineering research.

Clearly the Foundation is meeting its central objective of identifying and supporting a significant pool of highly qualified undergraduates who are subsequently obtaining advanced degrees and going on to become this country’s leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.