The Goldwater research internship program has two main objectives:

1) to provide undergraduates with valuable research experiences that will help them identify and develop a career path in STEM

2) to encourage interns to apply for a Goldwater scholarship, using their summer research experience as a foundation for their applications.

For the past 40 years, the Foundation has supported scholarships to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate the potential to become the nation’s next generation of science, engineering, and mathematics research leaders, helping to ensure the nation’s defense and global economic competitiveness. The Foundation has awarded over 11,000 scholarships. Among the recipients, 70% have gone on to obtain PhD or MD/PhD degrees, while an additional 8% have received professional degrees. While many factors unquestionably come into play, the Foundation believes that early engagement in research and recognition of students’ research accomplishments are crucial to achieving these successful outcomes.

Because early research engagement plays an important role in shaping a student’s career path, the Foundation is excited to begin offering paid summer internships to students who will have completed their freshman or sophomore year of college by the summer of 2027. Our program aims to bring together participants from a variety of backgrounds and varying skill levels. To support this initiative, the Goldwater Foundation is seeking mentors who understand the importance of early-career development.

We welcome mentors from a wide range of research-active institutions, including research universities, comprehensive colleges, predominantly undergraduate institutions, community colleges, national and defense laboratories, and corporations. Ideally, the selected Goldwater intern will join a mentor’s research team that includes other undergraduates and various individuals involved in the research enterprise.

Mentors can propose research experiences that are experimental, computational, or theoretical, with Goldwater interns expected to contribute intellectually to their projects. Near the end of their internship, Goldwater interns will be required to deliver a presentation on their work. Throughout the summer, the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation will host a series of virtual presentations to assist interns in applying for a Goldwater Scholarship, using their summer research projects as the foundation for their applications. The expectation is that the interns will return to their campus in the Fall and continue their Goldwater applications under the guidance of their Goldwater Campus Representative. Other undergraduates on the mentor’s summer research team will be welcome to attend the Goldwater presentations. 

Internships will typically last for 10 weeks, with a proposed start date of June 1, 2027. However, both the start date and the duration of the internship can be adjusted to accommodate the host institution's and mentor's needs.

Goldwater Internship Application Process and Timeline

To apply for a Goldwater internship, students will complete an application that outlines their background, skills, and career interests. From the projects listed on the Goldwater internship website, students can choose up to three projects they are interested in working on. Goldwater will then provide mentors with all applications listing their research projects, allowing mentors to select one or more potential interns.   

Student applications for the Goldwater research internship are expected to open in September 2026.  Mentors will receive a list of applicants who have identified their project in November, with student selection occurring between November and the end of January.  While mentors may contact potential students and their references at their discretion, they are not permitted to extend internship offers. Offers will be made to students by the Goldwater Foundation.

Goldwater interns will receive a total of $7,500, covering their stipend and costs associated with housing, meals, and transportation to and from the research site. To help applicants assess their costs, please provide information on housing options and available meal plans, along with their associated costs.  Students often also want to know whether public transportation is available in the area. Please note that funds to support mentors and the research activities in which Goldwater interns engage have not been authorized and are not available.

Those interested in hosting a Goldwater Research Intern should complete the Mentor Application form.

Questions regarding the internship program should be directed to Dr. John Mateja, President of the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation, at goldwaterpres@goldwaterscholarship.gov.