UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has nominated four undergraduates for the 2026 Goldwater Scholarship, a highly competitive national award that recognizes potential leaders in research in the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
This year’s nominees are:
- Ashley Booth, computer science, College of Engineering; biochemistry and molecular biology, Eberly College of Science; Schreyer Scholar
- Matias Moreno, materials science and engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
- Kieran Sturges, computer science, College of Engineering; mathematics, Eberly College of Science
- Eric Welp, engineering science, College of Engineering; physics major, Eberly College of Science; Schreyer Scholar
Booth, Moreno, Sturges and Welp will now advance to the national review conducted by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation this spring.
About the Goldwater Scholarship
Each year, the scholarship, named for statesman Barry Goldwater, awards 300 undergraduates in their second or third year of study in the fields of natural science, engineering and mathematics.
Those interested in competing for a Goldwater Scholarship next year should contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring (URFM) to learn more about the scholarship program, verify that they meet the eligibility criteria and begin the application process. Applicants must be U.S citizens, U.S. nationals or permanent residents in their second or third years and demonstrate an interest in a research career in select STEM fields. Applicants must submit a pre-application form and complete a full application during the fall semester to be considered for University nomination. Each Penn State campus can nominate four to six students each year.
Students looking to explore their potential for research and fellowships can begin by meeting with an undergraduate research ambassador, attending a workshop from URFM or applying to the Spark Program.