UD leads nation with five Goldwater Scholars

Five University of Delaware students have been named 2026 Goldwater Scholars, the most in UD history and the highest total among institutions nationwide this year.

All five of this year's Goldwater Scholars are members of the UD Honors College; three are juniors, two are sophomores, two are Delaware residents and one is a student-athlete. Their research interests range from artificial intelligence and biogeochemistry to chemometrics, plant biology and polymer science.

Nationwide this year, there are a total of 454 Goldwater Scholars, which recognizes students for their exceptional promise as researchers in science, engineering and mathematics. Only one other university also has five recipients this year, and no Ivy League institution has more than UD.

"On behalf of the UD community, I'm thrilled to congratulate our five Goldwater Scholars on this remarkable achievement," said President Laura Carlson. "Their drive to explore, question and innovate across disciplines reflects the best of the University of Delaware. We are so proud to see their hard work recognized at this prestigious, national level, and we're even more excited for the impact they will go on to make at UD and beyond."

Michael Chajes, Honors College dean and interim vice provost for undergraduate education, said having five Goldwater Scholars reflects the unique and high-impact experience provided by the Honors College, which was recently ranked No. 11 in the nation.

"This remarkable achievement reflects not only the brilliance and accomplishments of our students, but also the extraordinary mentorship of our faculty and the dedication of the staff in UD's Office of National Fellowship," Chajes said. "It speaks to a culture of academic excellence, collaboration and deep intellectual curiosity that defines the Honors College."

The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded by the Goldwater Foundation, a federally endowed, independent agency created in 1986. Honoring the late Senator Barry Goldwater, the program is designed to identify, encourage and financially support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. In 2026, 482 institutions nominated more than 5,000 applicants. With this year's awards, the foundation has supported more than 11,600 scholars over its 40-year history. Nearly all Goldwater Scholars intend to pursue doctoral degrees, with many going on to earn prestigious fellowships such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the Marshall Scholarship and the Churchill Scholarship.

The University of Delaware recipients represent a range of disciplines and research areas, each contributing to advancing knowledge in their respective fields.

Levi Bielewicz

Levi Bielewicz is a junior from Newark, Delaware, majoring in chemistry with minors in material culture and statistics.

Bielewicz conducts research in chemometrics, focusing on statistical modeling and data analysis in chemistry. Through sustained undergraduate research, he has developed expertise in analytical methods and machine learning applications in chemistry.

Bielewicz plans to pursue a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and a career as a university professor.

"I am grateful for the people who supported my journey and encouraged my passion for research, and I hope to one day create those same opportunities for future students," he said.