Scholarship Guides Truman Scholarship (US): How to Apply
USA · Application Guide
Truman Scholarship (US): How to Apply
The Truman Scholarship supports US college juniors who plan careers in public service. It provides up to US$30,000 for graduate study, plus leadership training and a network of public-service professionals. You cannot apply directly to the Foundation. Your undergraduate institution must first nominate you through its own campus process, and only nominated candidates submit the Foundation application.
Administered by: The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (US)
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 30 October 2026
What it covers
- Up to US$30,000 for graduate study (tuition, fees, books, room and board)
- Scholars attend the Truman Scholar Summer Institute and other leadership programming
- Internship opportunities in Washington, DC and beyond
- Access to the Truman Scholar alumni network of public-service leaders
Eligibility
- US citizenship (or US national)
- Full-time student at an accredited US institution, in the junior year of undergraduate study (for most applicants)
- Strong academic record and a demonstrated commitment to public service
- Planning to pursue a career in government, the nonprofit sector, or public-interest fields
- Must be nominated by your institution's Truman faculty representative
Application — step by step
- 1
Work with your campus Truman faculty representative
Find your institution's Truman faculty representative, who runs the campus nomination process. Campus application deadlines are typically between September and November of the junior year.
- 2
Complete your campus application
Candidates prepare the campus application (statement of purpose, policy proposal draft, resume and other materials) and are selected by the campus committee to be the institution's nominee(s).
- 3
Submit the Foundation application if nominated
Nominated candidates complete the Truman Foundation's online application, including the full policy proposal, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation, plus a nomination letter from the institution.
- 4
Foundation review and finalists
The Foundation reviews complete nomination packages and selects finalists, who are interviewed by regional review panels.
- 5
Awards announced
Truman Scholars are announced in the spring (for 2027: application deadline 2 February 2027, scholars posted 23 April 2027).
Typical documents needed
- Truman application form and policy proposal
- Personal statement / statement of purpose
- Nomination letter from your institution
- Three additional letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Resume / record of public-service involvement
Application cycles
The 2027 round closes on 2 February 2027. No opening date is published in the notice.
| Cycle | Opened | Closed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not published | 2 February 2027 | Closes 2 February 2027 |
Dates as the programme published them; each cycle links to the official notice. Every round is dated differently, so confirm the current one before you plan around it.
Annual cycle
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.
- September to November
- Campus nomination processes (internal deadlines)
- 2 February 2027
- Foundation application deadline
- February to April
- Finalist interviews by regional panels
- 23 April 2027
- Scholars announced
- Following autumn
- Graduate study (and Truman leadership programming) begins