US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 4704

Barry Goldwater scholarship and excellence in education awards

(a)

Award of scholarships, fellowships, and research internships

(1)
The Foundation may award scholarships, fellowships, and research internships to eligible persons for study in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Such scholarships, fellowships, and research internships shall be awarded to persons as provided in this chapter who meet the minimum criteria established by the Foundation.
(2)
section 1067q(a) of this title Scholarships shall be awarded to outstanding undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, which shall be prioritized for students attending community colleges and minority-serving institutions specified in .
(3)
Fellowships shall be awarded to outstanding graduate students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
(4)
section 1067q(a) of this title Research internships shall be awarded to outstanding undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, which shall be prioritized for students attending community colleges and minority-serving institutions specified in .
(5)
The Foundation may provide, directly or by contract, for the conduct of nationwide competition for the purpose of selecting recipients of scholarships, fellowships, and research internships awarded under this chapter.
(b)

Barry Goldwater Scholars and Research Interns

Recipients of scholarships and fellowships under this chapter shall be known as “Barry Goldwater Scholars”. Recipients of research internships under this chapter shall be known as “Barry Goldwater Interns”.

(c)

Award of honoraria to volunteers

(1)
The Foundation may award honoraria to outstanding educators, teachers, and persons who have volunteered to assist in secondary schools who have made significant contributions to improve the quality of instruction in mathematics and sciences in the secondary school. To the extent the Board determines such action practicable, honoraria awarded under this subsection shall be awarded annually to persons described in the preceding sentence as follows:
(A)
To two persons selected at large from each State.
(B)
To one person selected from each county in each State.
(C)
To persons affiliated with secondary schools on military reservations.
(D)
To persons affiliated with the dependent overseas school system.
(2)
The Board shall establish a schedule of honoraria to be awarded under paragraph (1).

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIV, § 1405100 Stat. 4009Pub. L. 117–81, div. F, title LXIII, § 6303135 Stat. 2393(, , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(1)2021—Subsec. (a). , substituted “Award of scholarships, fellowships, and research internships” for “Award of scholarships and fellowships” in heading.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics” for “science and mathematics”.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(2)(A), which directed substitution of “scholarships, fellowships, and research internships” for “scholarships and fellowships”, was executed by making the substitution in two places, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(3)section 1067q(a) of this titleSubsec. (a)(2). , substituted “the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, which shall be prioritized for students attending community colleges and minority-serving institutions specified in ” for “mathematics and the natural sciences”.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(4)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics” for “mathematics and the natural sciences”.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(a)(5)Subsec. (a)(4), (5). –(7), added par. (4), redesignated former par. (4) as (5), and in par. (5) substituted “scholarships, fellowships, and research internships” for “scholarships and fellowships”.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 6303(b)Subsec. (b). , inserted “and Research Interns” after “Scholars” in heading, and inserted “Recipients of research internships under this chapter shall be known as ‘Barry Goldwater Interns’.” at end.