The Truman Scholarship for Public Service and Social Advocacy

Name: Truman Scholarship – Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Award Amount: Up to $30,000 for approved graduate or professional study

Information and Eligibility:
The Truman Scholarship supports college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and are committed to a career in public service. Created by Congress in 1975 in honor of President Harry S. Truman, the award is the U.S. federal memorial to his legacy and aims to empower future “change agents” in government, education, business, non-profits, the uniformed services, and other public-service fields.
Eligibility criteria include:

• Citizenship/Residency: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national (e.g., American Samoa) or expect to become so by the award date.
• Academic Level: Applicant must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. accredited four-year institution and either in the penultimate year (for a four-year degree) or in the final year of a shorter program.
• Nomination: Applicant must be nominated by their institution (each institution may nominate up to four students plus additional transfer spots).
• Public Service Career Intent: Applicant must plan a graduate degree and career path in public service (broadly defined).

Application Requirements:

• Institutional nomination from the student’s college or university.
• Completed online application, including a policy proposal on an important public-policy issue, essays, résumé, transcripts.
• Three letters of recommendation: one focused on leadership, one on public service commitment, one on academic promise.

Selection Criteria:

• Academic excellence and readiness for graduate study.
• Long-term commitment to public service and leadership potential.
• Quality of public service track-record (campus, community, government) and clarity of vision for public-service impact.

Additional Details:

• Each year approximately 55-65 scholarships are awarded nationally.
• Recipients participate in Leadership Week, the Summer Institute and networking opportunities with a national Truman Scholars community.
• Award funds are paid to the educational institution for use toward tuition, fees, books, room and board. Recipients must fulfill a commitment to public service: at least three of the seven years following graduate study must be spent in a public-service role.

Deadline:

• February

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