Two Kansas University juniors have won Barry M. Goldwater scholarships for gifted students in science, technology, engineering and math, KU announced Friday.

KU’s winners were Qi Chen, an Overland Park junior majoring in chemical engineering with minors in economics and math; and Lianna Dang, a Shawnee junior majoring in chemistry. Both plan to pursue doctorates in hopes of a research career. Both are also part of KU’s Honors Program.

They were among 271 U.S. college sophomores and juniors awarded the scholarship for this year, chosen from about 1,100 applicants.

Congress created the Goldwater scholarships in 1986 in honor of the former U.S. senator. They’re meant to help produce future scientists, engineers and mathematicians, and winners are chosen based on academic merit.

Since the program’s creation, 55 KU students have won Goldwater scholarships, including Chen and Dang.