Request for Applications: Truman Scholarship Program (US)

Deadline: 4 February 2025

Applications are now open for Truman Scholarship to celebrate and prepare the nation’s next generation of public service leaders.

Candidates must secure the nomination of their undergraduate institution. Once nominated, they must complete a lengthy application and policy proposal as well as provide three letters of recommendation and transcripts. Applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s Finalist Selection Committee based on the candidate’s state of legal residence. The top candidates are invited to interview with their Regional Review Panels in locations across the country. Scholars are selected based on leadership ability, commitment to a career in public service and likelihood of success in graduate school.

The application is extensive and the process can be daunting. The Truman Foundation is committed to demystifying the process of applying while also making the process as accessible as possible. Detailed information on all aspects of the process is included in this section. All material, including information for Advisors and Finalists, is available to everyone.

Objectives

They are looking for the next generation of public service leaders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Leadership: They consider leadership to be more than merely occupying a position of leadership. Truman Scholars either use their leadership position in unique ways or create opportunities for leadership where none existed.
- Commitment to a Career in Public Service: Truman Scholars have a lengthy record of service as well as detailed and ambitious plans for a future career as a leader in their area of interest.
- Likelihood of Success in Graduate School: They are less interested in a perfect academic record than they are in seeing a Truman Scholar who is intellectually curious and on track to succeed in their graduate program of choice.

Funding Information

Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate school as well as access to extensive Scholar programming, priority admission and financial support from public service graduate programs, advising and mentoring from other public service leaders, and preferred hiring with the federal government.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be:
- US Citizens, US National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award;
- Currently enrolled at a US-based accredited institution;
- In their penultimate year of school (for candidates graduating in four years or more) or in their final year of school (for candidates graduating in three years or fewer);
- Nominated by either their current institution of study or their former institution of study for transfer or community college applicants. Schools are limited to four nominees plus three additional transfer nominations; and,
- Planning to attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service. The Foundation encourages time between undergraduate and graduate school, so candidates need not commit to going immediately.
Candidates can be:
- pursuing any major likely to lead to a public service career;
- any age;
- interested in any graduate degree other than the MBA; and,
- considering either domestic or international programs for their graduate education.